The Ref Stop

Post Lockdown games

The Ref Stop
If you disinfect balls and your hands after they have come into contact with each other you should be fine.
 
Did my first game tonight. A local derby played in a relatively friendly spirit. Good to get back out there.

Tables set up with hand sanitiser were never used. Quite a large crowd turned up to watch and there wasn't much social distancing in place. It was almost as if people saw the occasion as a way of getting away from covid restrictions. I know one of the managers well and he was encouraging his players to socially distance and santize etc, but he was roundly ignored. Interesting to see how we go on as the season progresses
 
Did my first game tonight. A local derby played in a relatively friendly spirit. Good to get back out there.

Tables set up with hand sanitiser were never used. Quite a large crowd turned up to watch and there wasn't much social distancing in place. It was almost as if people saw the occasion as a way of getting away from covid restrictions. I know one of the managers well and he was encouraging his players to socially distance and santize etc, but he was roundly ignored. Interesting to see how we go on as the season progresses
Personally think this season will go the same way as the last. But not through fault of football. The numbers are on the rise again across the continent. Some of the pictures going around show that people are. Not socially distancing, which of course will be complicit in driving transmission.
I have my first game back on Saturday. Its behind closed doors thankfully, so there will be no spectators inside the ground.
I can't see at the end of this 2 weeks that situation changing
 
Personally think this season will go the same way as the last. But not through fault of football. The numbers are on the rise again across the continent. Some of the pictures going around show that people are. Not socially distancing, which of course will be complicit in driving transmission.
I have my first game back on Saturday. Its behind closed doors thankfully, so there will be no spectators inside the ground.
I can't see at the end of this 2 weeks that situation changing

This was just a low level match at a local private facility. But its probably the first match anyone could attend for ages and there were alot watching with a beer or two. It was all pretty good natured and no problems from a refereeing perspective.

There wasnt a single covid precaution in action. The sanitising stations were there but weren't used (and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. My experience at cricket is that it ends up with 20+ people all stood around the same spot and each one touching the same bottle). The positives were that it was great for everyone to be outside again. I did my bit with the social distancing at the toss and the low key reminders not to shake hands at the end ("no need to shake hands fellas, bars over there if you really want to thank me").

Itll be interesting to see how everyone else goes on with covid procedures at games. The cynic in me suggests that at kids football and semi pro upwards it will be done to the letter. Sunday League it wont happen at many venues. We shall see.

Good to get going again and a warm weekend for all the games to come. Top stuff
 
Personally think this season will go the same way as the last. But not through fault of football. The numbers are on the rise again across the continent. Some of the pictures going around show that people are. Not socially distancing, which of course will be complicit in driving transmission.
I have my first game back on Saturday. Its behind closed doors thankfully, so there will be no spectators inside the ground.
I can't see at the end of this 2 weeks that situation changing

I have my first game as an L4 tomorrow. 2 step 6 teams, being played at a local community academy, so not sure how they can or will enforce no spectators. There are no changing facilities and both teams are planning to turn up changed around 45 minutes before kick off.

Like you James, I'm not convinced we're going to get the season in. Forget a second wave later in the year, yesterday it was announced that the NW Counties league (step 5 and 6) have agreed that their season will provisionally start on 3rd October.
 
I have my first game as an L4 tomorrow. 2 step 6 teams, being played at a local community academy, so not sure how they can or will enforce no spectators. There are no changing facilities and both teams are planning to turn up changed around 45 minutes before kick off.

Like you James, I'm not convinced we're going to get the season in. Forget a second wave later in the year, yesterday it was announced that the NW Counties league (step 5 and 6) have agreed that their season will provisionally start on 3rd October.
Gosh that's late. My understanding is we are aiming for a mid September start, and county senior cup starting earlier in South West...
Wonder if the various CFA that cover North west are reducing their cup schedules or if league cups are being scrapped to free up league game times.
 
Gosh that's late. My understanding is we are aiming for a mid September start, and county senior cup starting earlier in South West...
Wonder if the various CFA that cover North west are reducing their cup schedules or if league cups are being scrapped to free up league game times.

Statement is here. It's only a provisional date as well. Likely another meeting in a month where it could get bumped again.

 
Statement is here. It's only a provisional date as well. Likely another meeting in a month where it could get bumped again.

Sorry, I wasn't disagreeing with you :) . I suppose NWC has areas and teams which have been locked down or rather restrictions placed upon them which I guess has to impact on everything.
 
I have my first game in 5 months tomorrow. Two Step 7 teams. I'm not worried about the step up a division, but I am pretty apprehensive about this little problem. A Northerner refereeing a game on Mercury

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I think there are 2 key issues that will determine whether a)leagues that have set the 5th Sept as the start date will be viable and b) how the season will progress - and that is, firstly, allowing spectators back into grounds from September at steps 3-6. Secondly, the impact that local lockdowns have on fixture disruption.

From what I see on social media and reading between the lines the FA seem confident that the DCMS will permit spectators to return from September. Local lockdowns are clearly the preferred method of control clusters/flare-ups in certain regions, and rightly so compared to going back to a national lockdown. They seem to be effective in controlling and reducing transmissions. However the more there are the likely disruption it will cause to various leagues.

Taking all this in to account and seeing the ONS figures today suggesting that new infections seems to be levelling off again in England after the recent increases the optimist in me says football will resume on 1st Sept (FA Cup) with spectators- however the next 2-3 weeks are crucial. 🤞
 
I think there are 2 key issues that will determine whether a)leagues that have set the 5th Sept as the start date will be viable and b) how the season will progress - and that is, firstly, allowing spectators back into grounds from September at steps 3-6. Secondly, the impact that local lockdowns have on fixture disruption.

From what I see on social media and reading between the lines the FA seem confident that the DCMS will permit spectators to return from September. Local lockdowns are clearly the preferred method of control clusters/flare-ups in certain regions, and rightly so compared to going back to a national lockdown. They seem to be effective in controlling and reducing transmissions. However the more there are the likely disruption it will cause to various leagues.

Taking all this in to account and seeing the ONS figures today suggesting that new infections seems to be levelling off again in England after the recent increases the optimist in me says football will resume on 1st Sept (FA Cup) with spectators- however the next 2-3 weeks are crucial. 🤞
This also raises the question around supporters from a lockdown area hoping to travel to games outside that area, with all that entails. Not easy for the Government or The FA or CFA's (some of whom are still using the furlough scheme for many staff)
 
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