WHISTLE BLOWER PULLS THE PUNCHES

It should be a pleasure but refereeing is now regarded as a hazard and by many to be avoided. Local Sheffield FA Cup games used to have three neutral officials for every tie but these days a club representative has to carry the flag and often that is all he does. The ref likes to make offside decisions, allowing the second and third official a wave when the ball appears to leave the pitch.

I am coming across a few young officials on my junior league travels in West Yorkshire, and Hepworth have a young lady who does a very impressive job for our juniors, so all credit to our up and coming middle people.

However, be aware of an incident that happened in an East Sussex league Premier match on Saturday between St Leonards Social and local rivals Hollington United. The 61 year old referee was allegedly head butted by a Hollington player in front a crowd of 40 including young children and wives. The player has been bailed. At Banbury three weeks ago, the game against Slough in the Southern League was abandoned when the ref was attacked by a teenage spectator as he came off the pitch at half time. In Birmingham recently an U18 Cup tie between Stourbridge and Black Country Rangers ended in violence as punches were thrown between players and a metal stake brandished.

BUT CONGRATULATE BRIAN STEVENS who took charge of his 3000^th game in the Stroud League on Sunday at the age of 75. He will have seen it all before, having reffed since 1963 and on the Football League list from 1970, when his first game was Preston NE v Halifax Town. Brian came off the League list at 52 but continues to have his way at weekends in his local area.