The Birdman
New member
the way things are going this might be betterOne of these, could hold cards, radio gear, spray, laser-measure, drink, spectacles, plumb-line, chain and spare flag in case of snappage.
View attachment 78716
the way things are going this might be betterOne of these, could hold cards, radio gear, spray, laser-measure, drink, spectacles, plumb-line, chain and spare flag in case of snappage.
View attachment 78716
Wound me up no end. He was consistently getting the distances wrong.
Beggars belief when you pause for a moment and consider that this man, considered a professional in the eyes of the FA, cannot count to ten.
Reference Mothy's idea of a stake and rope, I remember a couple of refs in the 1950s who did that. Yes it was a six inch nail and ten yards of string, but it was accurate. The string also had a piece of blue chalk attached which the ref used to mark the pitch in the same way that foam is used these days. Crude,yes, but accurate and effective.
I cannot believe that nobody has mentioned how he took 9 very small paces for 1 kick then for the next the crowd counted them out but after the tenth he took one back towards the ball then applied the lines. This is a from what is classed as a top ref.
This happened at Rotherham away a few years ago (when we were shit). I think it was Leon Worst who was going mental with the ref about the wall being too near. So the ref paced it out and we all counted....to 8 where he drew the line.
Wouldn't have mattered anyway as we were awful but the free kick was duly smashed straight into the wall and everyone sang "We can count to ten.....".
Does seem strange that it's not done a bit more scientifically but then again, you'd also expect the referee to be able to count.
I wrote an e mail to the Ref Assoc at the FA about the fact that a ref is unable to count to 10 and here is there reply
Many thanks for taking the time to write to you are the ref.
During their training I have taken referees out on the field and delivered a session on achieving 10 yards at free kicks (9.15m)
Referees of different sizes sometimes enables the taller guy to reach ten yards with 9 good strides. The smaller referee needs about eleven strides to achieve the same distance.
However when we practice getting 10 yards out on the pitch this exercise gets them over any problems.
Frankly it is inappropriate for any referee not to achieve the appropriate distance in law.
It is lazy and unacceptable and sets a bad example to other referees coming through y
the system.
Another drop in standards because Premier League referees no longer have an assessor in attendance in games and they are beginning to do what they want.
Kind regards
Keith Hackett
2 seasons ago - pretty sure [MENTION=22888]ChazzyBHA[/MENTION] filmed it on his phone. It was hilarious (only high spot on a dismal day)