The Ref Stop

Reffing your old team

OnlyUseMeWhistle

RefChat Addict
Level 3W Referee
I ref my Sunday league side from last season in a few weeks, first time ever. I only played about 4/5 games in goal for them, wasn’t really good enough for the Sunday league here. It’s small and full of very fit and strong army lads.

Wondering whether I tell the other team I used to play for them and it won’t be a factor to get ahead of it or just leave it? I’ve got visions of one player at a corner saying “oh he used to play for us” and it starting something.
 
The Ref Stop
I used to send a message to my ref secretary and ask to be switched to another game (and let that ref take my old team). Just saves an awkward situation on the players and my part. He was fine about it
 
I wouldn't do it, just not worth the potential hassle. I referee on a league that has a team that I used to manage well over 10 years ago and I've told the RefsSec I don't want any of their games. There's not a single person still at the club that was there when I was, and they've changed name twice since then, but it is just asking for trouble. All it needs is a controversial decision to the opposition, and then someone to find social media photos linking me to the team, and there are problems for people to deal with that really could have been avoided.
 
Cheers, will ask the sec to swap. I’ve reffed them before in friendlies with no issue but I get that’s not the same!
 
Is it just me that's dismissed a sibling? Opposition knew before the game he was my brother, about 15 mins in he was gone for DOGSO. Easiest red ever. I think he still hates me. I wouldn't do it again though, that's for sure.
Back in the post-Covid days, my son’s team was playing teams from the neighboring state (who had stricter rules on sports being played than our state) in friendlies. I volunteered to referee these games just so they had the feel of a game instead of a scrimmage. In one of these games, I cautioned my own kid and then cautioned a player who had fouled him. Never thought I’d get that double on my referee bingo card.

(And for the record, the only time I ever referee my kid’s games is in friendlies or scrimmages. I never referee his team in a competitive situation unless a referee goes down and they “need someone from the stands”.)
 
Is it just me that's dismissed a sibling? Opposition knew before the game he was my brother, about 15 mins in he was gone for DOGSO. Easiest red ever. I think he still hates me. I wouldn't do it again though, that's for sure.
Gave my brother his first ever caution (for SPA) when he was new to U18s for a pre-season friendly. Don't think he's particularly held it against me though, it was fairly clear!
 
I did it once. Never again. Had to YC a friend for dissent.
I told league of my brothers (plural) team and they appointed me several times.
They even put me on the line of a semi final involving my 2 brothers. Within 5 minutes of the first half, flagged a goal that had just crept over the line against my brother (keeper). He was also my ride home.

They went on to win 3-1 and had no issues.
Most of the teams knew that my brother's played for them.
They didn't care. Thankfully.
 
I play on Sundays and I’ve asked to not referee a Saturday team because half of our team play for them. Apparently it isn’t technically a conflict, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable refereeing my own teammates
 
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