IRefwell Page

The Whistle Stop
With
I. Refwell

Hello Fenmen football fans and welcome to the new web site article designed to give you an insight into the thoughts and views of just one of the infamous adversaries of football fans around the world - THE REF.

Let me start by giving a brief introduction of who I am. I am a Referee affiliated to the Cambridgeshire F.A; I'm also a member of the Southern League Referees & Officials Association, an Asst. Referee at both Conference and Avon Combination League levels. Contrary to the public opinions aired at Dr. Marten League grounds, I DO have a father and DO NOT require the services of a Labrador dog. (More than this you will have to work out for yourself) My aim, via this article, is to express some opinions that as a non-Referee you may not have considered (and may not want too) but at least when you let loose the tirades of multi-coloured nouns and adjectives (not to mention verbs!) at the next unsuspecting victim in black (or greenish-grey in the DML) you might just consider some of the points I raise.

Some of the points I intend to raise will be serious, some tongue in cheek and some simply humorous anecdotes. However, at no time will I mention individuals or clubs by name in situations that may be of a sensitive or delicate nature. I will try to cover issues that are topical as well as looking at areas that seem to crop up perennially. In this initial piece I am going to cover one 'old chestnut' and one topical event.

So enough of the intro and into the bits and bobs.

First the topical issue; Unless you have recently been on a package tour to another solar system, you will certainly recall the events at Hillsborough just a few weeks back. I refer of course to the incident involving Messrs. Alcock and Di Canio. (Since this issue has been published widely in the press, I feel comfortable mentioning the respective participants by name).

In my opinion this has to be the most bizarre thing seen in the upper echelons of British football. Now of course this matter has been widely discussed at all levels of life from the oak panelled annals of Lancaster Gate to the Formica covered tables in the local boozer, and I am certain that with few exceptions, most people share my view of dismay and horror. This behaviour cannot be condoned and must not be allowed to exist at any level of football, let alone our Premiership. Di Canio's action was irrational, unnecessary and unforgivable. Yet, unfortunately it is an occurrence more frequently seen at lower, local levels of our game. I am confident that the F.A. will deal with this matter in such a way that they feel it will further not be repeated at football League level, and hopefully reduce the likelihood of it happening elsewhere too.

Lets take a look at the incident from Paul Alcock's perspective. I have heard, and read articles, outlining the view that Mr. Alcock 'dived'. A Referee diving? Why? O.K He fell in a clumsy manner, even in an ungamely fashion, I have heard it referred to as a bit'girly', but diving- I don't think so! Mr. Alcock was not prepared for what was about to happen to him and so as he fell would have, in my opinion, felt silly and embarrassed at the prospect of falling on his backside. He tried (not very well, perhaps) to retain his footing and the consequence was a 'sad' looking demise to the ground.

As a Referee I can sympathise with Mr. Alcock, I have 'mislaid' my footing on the field of play and it is not very dignified. (And I did not have the assistance of Mr. Di Canio to cite as a reason).

Now for the 'Old Chestnut'.

Consistency.

So often we hear fiom football fans, players and pundits the need for consistency. O.K we would all like an ideal world brimming with consistent views and actions, but how likely is it? If we were to try to advocate a level of consistency throughout football, who is going to measure it? What criteria are we ALL going to agree upon and accept as the guide to this level of consistency? Should we then reasonably expect consistency from players? And do we then ever take into account extenuating circumstances (such as weather conditions) could effect the levels of consistency? Since I have only raised questions so far, that do little more than leave the issue 'hanging' in the air, I shall attempt to be more direct.

I feel that it is impossible to expect that one official should give an identical response to a situation that occurs in a separate match. After all, no two incidents occur in identical circumstances, there are always different players involved, or different angles to be taken into consideration, or different conditions in terms of the weather, the pitch or the actual play leading up to the given incident. No two human beings (Referees are human beings, believe it or not) ever see two things in exactly the same way and I feel that we must all accept this to be the case. Therefore I think it is far more reasonable to lower our expectations to a level that is easier to define. At this point I am sure there are many of you out there saying " What about consistency from one Referee in one game for 90 mins? " Well, yes I would say that here you may just have a point.

But looking at ourselves, can we, any of us, ever put our hand on our heart and say that we always act with unerring levels of supreme consistency at all times? I don't think so!

Well, these are my thoughts for the time being- I am sure you will have your views, as football is a game populated by many wide and varied opinions.

My Best Wishes to you all.

Mr. I. REFWELL

Email Mr I. Refwell


	The Whistle Stop With I. Refwell



	Hello Fenmen football fans and welcome to the new web site article designed to give you an insight into the thoughts and views of just one of the infamous adversaries of football fans around the world - THE REF. Let me start by giving a brief introduction of who I am. I am a Referee affiliated to the Cambridgeshire F.A; I'm also a member of the Southern League Referees & Officials Association, an Asst. Referee at both Conference and Avon Combination League levels. Contrary to the public opinions aired at Dr. Marten League grounds, I DO have a father and DO NOT require the services of a Labrador dog. (More than this you will have to work out for yourself) My aim, via this article, is to express some opinions that as a non-Referee you may not have considered (and may not want too) but at least when you let loose the tirades of multi-coloured nouns and adjectives (not to mention verbs!) at the next unsuspecting victim in black (or greenish-grey in the DML) you might just consider some of the points I raise. Some of the points I intend to raise will be serious, some tongue in cheek and some simply humorous anecdotes. However, at no time will I mention individuals or clubs by name in situations that may be of a sensitive or delicate nature. I will try to cover issues that are topical as well as looking at areas that seem to crop up perennially. In this initial piece I am going to cover one 'old chestnut' and one topical event. So enough of the intro and into the bits and bobs. First the topical issue; Unless you have recently been on a package tour to another solar system, you will certainly recall the events at Hillsborough just a few weeks back. I refer of course to the incident involving Messrs. Alcock and Di Canio. (Since this issue has been published widely in the press, I feel comfortable mentioning the respective participants by name). In my opinion this has to be the most bizarre thing seen in the upper echelons of British football. Now of course this matter has been widely discussed at all levels of life from the oak panelled annals of Lancaster Gate to the Formica covered tables in the local boozer, and I am certain that with few exceptions, most people share my view of dismay and horror. This behaviour cannot be condoned and must not be allowed to exist at any level of football, let alone our Premiership. Di Canio's action was irrational, unnecessary and unforgivable. Yet, unfortunately it is an occurrence more frequently seen at lower, local levels of our game. I am confident that the F.A. will deal with this matter in such a way that they feel it will further not be repeated at football League level, and hopefully reduce the likelihood of it happening elsewhere too. Lets take a look at the incident from Paul Alcock's perspective. I have heard, and read articles, outlining the view that Mr. Alcock 'dived'. A Referee diving? Why? O.K He fell in a clumsy manner, even in an ungamely fashion, I have heard it referred to as a bit'girly', but diving- I don't think so! Mr. Alcock was not prepared for what was about to happen to him and so as he fell would have, in my opinion, felt silly and embarrassed at the prospect of falling on his backside. He tried (not very well, perhaps) to retain his footing and the consequence was a 'sad' looking demise to the ground. As a Referee I can sympathise with Mr. Alcock, I have 'mislaid' my footing on the field of play and it is not very dignified. (And I did not have the assistance of Mr. Di Canio to cite as a reason). Now for the 'Old Chestnut'. Consistency. So often we hear fiom football fans, players and pundits the need for consistency. O.K we would all like an ideal world brimming with consistent views and actions, but how likely is it? If we were to try to advocate a level of consistency throughout football, who is going to measure it? What criteria are we ALL going to agree upon and accept as the guide to this level of consistency? Should we then reasonably expect consistency from players? And do we then ever take into account extenuating circumstances (such as weather conditions) could effect the levels of consistency? Since I have only raised questions so far, that do little more than leave the issue 'hanging' in the air, I shall attempt to be more direct. I feel that it is impossible to expect that one official should give an identical response to a situation that occurs in a separate match. After all, no two incidents occur in identical circumstances, there are always different players involved, or different angles to be taken into consideration, or different conditions in terms of the weather, the pitch or the actual play leading up to the given incident. No two human beings (Referees are human beings, believe it or not) ever see two things in exactly the same way and I feel that we must all accept this to be the case. Therefore I think it is far more reasonable to lower our expectations to a level that is easier to define. At this point I am sure there are many of you out there saying " What about consistency from one Referee in one game for 90 mins? " Well, yes I would say that here you may just have a point. But looking at ourselves, can we, any of us, ever put our hand on our heart and say that we always act with unerring levels of supreme consistency at all times? I don't think so! Well, these are my thoughts for the time being- I am sure you will have your views, as football is a game populated by many wide and varied opinions. My Best Wishes to you all. Mr. I. REFWELL Email Mr I. Refwell