YOUNG AND OLD

Ernie McGarvey is 81 and the oldest referee in the country. He is retiring from the game, having been in the middle for more than 2500 games. He has been in charge, overseeing generations of footballers in the Broadstairs area in Kent and he clearly states he wouldn't want to be starting the job all over again now! Well he is 81 after all. Since the beginning of his career in 1952, he has come across a wide range of attitudes to his decisions. These days he claims the game is much more feisty and he is less likely to share a beer in the pub after a game with somebody he has just reprimanded than when he began all those years ago. In 2013 the Kent FA gave him the Thanet Sports Award and he has gathered many accolades over the years.

Ernie still walks 10-12 miles a day, making up for the miles lost now that he is retiring from being the man in the middle.

A younger football fanatic is Archie Rhind-Tutt, a young journalist specialising in the Bundesliga. If any youngster fancies his chances in the world of football journalism then have a look at Archie's "academic" path. He has recently posted an article about Oliver Burke, once a 19 year old midfielder at Nottingham Forest, who has made the brave move of signing a five year contract for RB Leipzig. He was tracked by various Premier League clubs but his new team is top of the German league after an exhilarating 3-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen. RB club was only formed seven years ago following investment by Red Bull. They are the first Bundesliga promoted club to remain unbeaten in their first 11 league games. Although Burke is not first on the team sheet recently he did set up the winning goal on his debut against Borussia Dortmand and score against Cologne after making his first "start". 

Have a look at the fuller version of Archie's report on www.thesetpieces.com

Burke was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland but grew up in Melton Mowbray. He chose to play for Scotland although he has made his name in England. With a few dozen games under his belt at the higher level, he is being likened to Gareth Bale, as he has his build and athleticism. At £13 million, the youngster has been bought at a good price by the Germans and Red Bull's investment may have been a wise one. This is a Scottish record and the hope for the international side is that Oliver will have the influence that Bale has had.