Rugby

[Oldandbald]

Indeed I did. I gave up reffing Sunday league' football as there was simply too much hassle too often. Generally the players sorted out anyone that really got out of line but 'supporters' and parents were at times uncontrollable. However, the biggest problem was lack of support from those that ran the leagues - they generally sided with the manager who was invariably a mate over anything controversial; as a ref you know when you have had a good or bad game but when you were marked at 2/10 when you know you had a good game as a result of giving big decisions against a team and are subsequently censured then you know you are wasting your time.

I also got bored with making a 90 mile round trip after work to listen to a player try to and fail in appeal against a dismissal for calling me a 'cheating c*nt' or similar. They then got the arse when a mandatory ban was doubled due to the frivolous nature of the appeal - the difference between dealing with County officials compared to Sunday league committee members.

Although I was never actually physically assaulted, I was certainly concerned for my safety at times, to the extent that on one occasion I was too scared to abandon a game that had got completely out of hand, both on and off the pitch. Not worth it for giving up a weekend day and getting £45 in my pocket.

Nine games out of ten were a pleasure to officiate, but the one in ten made me think it wasn't worth it. Concentrated on Academy and semi-pro after that. Different world. Having said that, parents at Academy games were banned from making any noise during games. Made life a lot easier, both for officials and players.

As mentioned in the article, the rot starts at the top; although I personally feel that most exaggerate the behaviour of Premier League players/officials to refs it does need cleaning up. If little Johnny sees bad behaviour at that level they assume it is ok. The managers are the worst, with the pundits not too far behind.

Rugby is still a stupid game though.

Piss taking aside Andy that is a very interesting and informative post.

Shame you fcuked it up with that last sentence.

 

[Pow-Lo]

Don't worry mate, some folk are only capable of understanding little boys games, simple minds & all that if they ever grow up they might begin to understand mens sport ............ but I doubt it

If he can’t understand the simple physics in igniting hydrocarbon vapours, then poofball is just about his level

 

[andyBeaker]

Piss taking aside Andy that is a very interesting and informative post.

Shame you fcuked it up with that last sentence.

As indeed have you

 

[andyBeaker]

If he can’t understand the simple physics in igniting hydrocarbon vapours, then poofball is just about his level

I do have some understanding, just not very interested.

 

[Cougar377]

There's a definite comparison to be made between football and rugby and what coppers put up with.

Rugby officials are much like coppers of old - almost always treated with respect and decisions are accepted almost universally.
Football, well it's a bit symptomatic of what todays coppers have to deal with - ignored, shouted and sworn at, jostled and occasionally assaulted. Treated like shit and decisions disputed as the norm.

As an example to kids as to how to conduct yourself and represent yourself/team/country, football and footballers fail miserably.

 

[derek kelly]

Not worth it for giving up a weekend day and getting £45 in my pocket.

Hope you declared this on your tax returns.

 

[andyBeaker]

Hope you declared this on your tax returns.

Nope.

Fees for match officials are tax exempt!!

I used to chuck mine in the bottom drawer of my bedside cabinet and empty it out occasionally. Amazing how much it built up! I went through one period of doing five or six games a week after a really bad winter of postponements.

 

[derek kelly]

Fees for match officials are tax exempt!!

No they aren’t & how come you were getting £45? The maximum these days is £34

 

[andyBeaker]

No they aren’t & how come you were getting £45? The maximum these days is £34

Yes they are.

You pay for,what you get, even in Sunday league.

Fees for semi pro,were significantly higher

 

[derek kelly]

Yes they are.

You pay for,what you get, even in Sunday league.

Fees for semi pro,were significantly higher

So you were the only amateur referee that received over the maximum amount & the only one who didn’t have to pay tax on it?

 

[Cougar377]

I used to chuck mine in the bottom drawer of my bedside cabinet and empty it out occasionally. Amazing how much it built up! I went through one period of doing five or six games a week after a really bad winter of postponements.

Better than trusting a bank with it then....

 

[andyBeaker]

So you were the only amateur referee that received over the maximum amount & the only one who didn’t have to pay tax on it?

Match fees plus expenses.....

 

[derek kelly]

Match fees plus expenses.....

You didn’t say that, expenses are variable depending on mileage but still taxable.

 

[andyBeaker]

You didn’t say that, expenses are variable depending on mileage but still taxable.

If you say so Derek.

 

[derek kelly]

If you say so Derek.

I don’t, the tax man does.