Football - Refereeing
Travis Wright
REF 1 - PLAYERS 22
What is it like to be in charge of
22 men on a football pitch?
Before I begin, I love football.
That’s why I referee.
I’m a shocking player, and can barely kick a ball well enough to score inside the 6 yard box, but I still love football.
I was playing Football Manager on the train to London once, and a group of lads got on the train as my Middlesbrough team were being completely taken apart at Elland Road. They cheered every time a goal went in. I had to damage control and set myself to defensive, to which the group of lads booed quite heavily. That’s when I realised I just absolutely loved football.
So I got into refereeing.
There was a sudden blood rush for me when a number 9 sprinted into the box, dashing past every single defender and through on goal. What could happen next? How will my next decision change the game? What IS the correct decision?
Every single question races through your mind as the away team’s goalkeeper wipes out the home number 9. I had 127 people waiting for my call. It’s certainly a penalty, but is it a red card? Has the goalkeeper attempted to play the ball?
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I thought he had not, and much to the distaste of the away side, they were sent down to 10 men. The supporters behind the goal were ecstatic, and the coaches for the away side were furious; shouting, swearing, and saying I’m the worst referee they have ever had.
As sad as this is, it should be somewhat expectational if you are a match official, every single decision you make is scrutinised. You will always make 11 players happy, and 11 players unhappy.
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I was confident my decision that day was correct,
I was confident my decision that day was correct, it was a cup match and it was 0-0. The penalty was scored in the 89th minute, my decision weighed a huge amount to both clubs. It was a long walk back to the car park as many of the away side’s fans weren’t best pleased with me or the assistant referees.
Some people just hate young referees because they think we don’t know the rules as well as the older ones. In reality we study and work just as hard, learn just as quickly and apply the laws just as well as them in every game.
I’m always deeply analytical ahead of every game. I find out what formations both teams have played to aid with my positioning, I work hard with my fitness to keep up. I always watch games back that have been recorded that I referee to improve myself, I study different players on each team who are marked as “ones to watch” for us officials.
Every single game is different, and that’s the buzz of it. One game there will be no cards and a clean game where both teams want to play football, but the next day it’ll be an absolute blood-fest.
Nothing can beat the buzz of walking out in front of hundreds of people, with your 2 other officials and 22 players ready to show on the pitch their talent.
Each game is a new experience, and I hope to continue having good performances and earning promotions. FA Cup appointment next? I hope so.
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(pictured, me at my first ever game refereeing years ago!)