Tom McNaull
20/10/11 10:15
Wirral RA regret to announce the death of Tom McNaull.
Tom moved to the Wirral area from Scotland many years ago and immediately joined the Wirral RA whilst he continued his refereeing career on several local leagues, including the Eastham Junior League which he was an active referee until his death.
Tom joined the Wirral RA and took an active interest in fitness training and offered physio to members. He showed a keen interest to the development of the RA and became the Wirral RA Chairman for several years.
As well as assessing referees throughout Cheshire, Tom also shared his Saturdays as a match day steward at Tranmere Rovers FC.
Tom moved to the Wirral area from Scotland many years ago and immediately joined the Wirral RA whilst he continued his refereeing career on several local leagues, including the Eastham Junior League which he was an active referee until his death.
Tom joined the Wirral RA and took an active interest in fitness training and offered physio to members. He showed a keen interest to the development of the RA and became the Wirral RA Chairman for several years.
As well as assessing referees throughout Cheshire, Tom also shared his Saturdays as a match day steward at Tranmere Rovers FC.
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Collina Rejects Goal Line Technology
17/10/11 10:44
UEFA referees committee member PierluigiCollina insists there is no need for goal-line technology in football and defended the use of two additional assistant referees.
Collina, widely regarded as the game's best official until his retirement six years ago, claims there has not been one incorrect goal-line decision in games using additional assistants since experiments involving them began two years ago.
The additional officials are the brainchild of UEFA president Michel Platini, who has been an opponent of technology even though the International Football Association Board are continuing with experiments aimed at its introduction.
Speaking at the Leaders in Football conference in London on Thursday, Collina said:
'The technological experiment didn't find the solution and the human found the solution.
'I think the goal line can be easily controlled by two additional assistant referees.'
Additional assistants, who stand behind the goal-line, have been criticised in some quarters for failing to spot other incidents inside the penalty area.
Collina admitted mistakes had been made, but by referees who had actually ignored the advice of their assistants.
He said: 'We had big mistakes last year, not because the assistant referee didn't help the referee.
Outrage: Fans were furious when Frank Lampard's 'goal' was disallowed
'He gave the correct advice, but simply the referee thought he was right.'
He added: 'The number of pushing and pulling at set-pieces decreased during the last couple of seasons, probably because of the presence of the additional assistant referee.
'As well as you reducing speed when you see a policeman far away, you refrain from pushing and pulling when you know there is someone looking at the incident.'
Football Association referees' committee chairman David Elleray, himself a former top official, backed the use of technology for goal-line incidents, but insisted it was unworkable
beyond that.
Rejecting the idea each team could be allowed to challenge a certain number of decisions during a game - as in American Football - he used the example of Thierry Henry's handball that set up a decisive goal for France in their World Cup play-off against Ireland two years ago.
He said: 'How would football have looked and reacted in Paris when Thierry Henry handled the ball and France scored to go to the World Cup and Ireland couldn't appeal against that because they had already used up their three appeals?'
Collina, widely regarded as the game's best official until his retirement six years ago, claims there has not been one incorrect goal-line decision in games using additional assistants since experiments involving them began two years ago.
The additional officials are the brainchild of UEFA president Michel Platini, who has been an opponent of technology even though the International Football Association Board are continuing with experiments aimed at its introduction.
Speaking at the Leaders in Football conference in London on Thursday, Collina said:
'The technological experiment didn't find the solution and the human found the solution.
'I think the goal line can be easily controlled by two additional assistant referees.'
Additional assistants, who stand behind the goal-line, have been criticised in some quarters for failing to spot other incidents inside the penalty area.
Collina admitted mistakes had been made, but by referees who had actually ignored the advice of their assistants.
He said: 'We had big mistakes last year, not because the assistant referee didn't help the referee.
Outrage: Fans were furious when Frank Lampard's 'goal' was disallowed
'He gave the correct advice, but simply the referee thought he was right.'
He added: 'The number of pushing and pulling at set-pieces decreased during the last couple of seasons, probably because of the presence of the additional assistant referee.
'As well as you reducing speed when you see a policeman far away, you refrain from pushing and pulling when you know there is someone looking at the incident.'
Football Association referees' committee chairman David Elleray, himself a former top official, backed the use of technology for goal-line incidents, but insisted it was unworkable
beyond that.
Rejecting the idea each team could be allowed to challenge a certain number of decisions during a game - as in American Football - he used the example of Thierry Henry's handball that set up a decisive goal for France in their World Cup play-off against Ireland two years ago.
He said: 'How would football have looked and reacted in Paris when Thierry Henry handled the ball and France scored to go to the World Cup and Ireland couldn't appeal against that because they had already used up their three appeals?'
Contrib Referee Assaulted During Game
17/10/11 10:41
Redditch United have cancelled the registration of Josh McKenzie after he struck a referee, leading to the abandonment of their match against Chesham United.
The player, who had scored two goals in his last two games, reacted badly to conceding a penalty.
The club said he hit the official, who immediately ended the Southern Premier Division fixture.
McKenzie was arrested and cautioned at the local police station.
Redditch said on their website they were "outraged" by the incident.
Chairman Chris Swan told BBC Sport: "I couldn't believe my eyes. The referee stood there for a second and then he just went down.
"It was just astounding. We had to get Josh off as quickly as possible and get him into the changing rooms because he was obviously very heated."
There's just no way that he'll have anything to do with Redditch United ever again
The game was called off with Chesham leading 1-0 and Swan had no qualms with the decision.
"I'll go with whatever the referee says," Swan added. "If the referee wanted to carry on playing or to abandon it, that's his call.
"In fairness, he had been through what must have been a very traumatic incident.
"He [McKenzie] was not on the team bus going back. I've just been to the police station to drop off some money so he can get home. But that's it.
"There's just no way that he will have anything to do with Redditch United ever again."
A statement on the club's website said: "We pride ourselves on fair play and will not tolerate this kind of behaviour. The team has worked very hard over the past few weeks and we will not let this one individual tarnish the reputation of our much-loved club."
Oldham Based Officials Protest
17/10/11 10:41
The referees are protesting, after three players banned for abusive behaviour were allowed to play again.
League officials said most matches were going ahead and said the referees had over-reacted.
Former referees' secretary, Eddie Aspin, said the officials had had enough of violent and abusive players.
The league has drafted in replacement officials from elsewhere.
League Chairman Jack Bamford said: "It's blown out of proportion to be truthful.
"This year we've tried to help by trying to stop certain players but on appeal they were let back into the league - they're not that bad, the lads.
"The referees had a meeting and we weren't there to put our side and they have taken this stance."
But Mr Aspin said: "Some of the players were already on a final warning and they've let them back in on another final warning.
"The referees have taken a stance saying, 'We're not happy these players have been done for behaviour and assaults on referees and we're not putting up with it any more'."
League officials said most matches were going ahead and said the referees had over-reacted.
Former referees' secretary, Eddie Aspin, said the officials had had enough of violent and abusive players.
The league has drafted in replacement officials from elsewhere.
League Chairman Jack Bamford said: "It's blown out of proportion to be truthful.
"This year we've tried to help by trying to stop certain players but on appeal they were let back into the league - they're not that bad, the lads.
"The referees had a meeting and we weren't there to put our side and they have taken this stance."
But Mr Aspin said: "Some of the players were already on a final warning and they've let them back in on another final warning.
"The referees have taken a stance saying, 'We're not happy these players have been done for behaviour and assaults on referees and we're not putting up with it any more'."
October RA Meeting
13/10/11 08:34
From our secretary Dave Jones
Dear Colleagues
Hope you are all well and getting plenty of games in before the winter sets in!
Our monthly meeting takes place at Cammell Lairds tomorrow night. Ron Matthews will be hosting a debate tomorrow night that I’m sure will divide opinion before our Chairman takes on the role of Quiz Master extraordinaire!
There are a few pieces of correspondence to get through from the RA and feel free to raise any issues/concerns you have during the course of the meeting.
I hope to see you all there!
Best wishes
Dave
Dear Colleagues
Hope you are all well and getting plenty of games in before the winter sets in!
Our monthly meeting takes place at Cammell Lairds tomorrow night. Ron Matthews will be hosting a debate tomorrow night that I’m sure will divide opinion before our Chairman takes on the role of Quiz Master extraordinaire!
There are a few pieces of correspondence to get through from the RA and feel free to raise any issues/concerns you have during the course of the meeting.
I hope to see you all there!
Best wishes
Dave
The Month Just Gone...
10/10/11 08:28
Very little to report from the RA this month…Congratulations to several members who have been appointed to FA Cup, Trophy and Vase games.
The weather has been kind so far but pitches are now becoming wetter and we ask that all members read our section on pitch inspections available here.
We would also like to remind those who have not registered with Cheshire FA to do so as soon as possible. Without registration you have no back up from the FA if things go wrong during your game and you're likely to find that if you are actively refereeing, you may well be faced with a suspension.
Cheshire FA would also like to reiterate that it is imperative that all misconduct reports are sent to them within 48hrs of the match end. This is important due to the changes in suspensions for lower levels of football. Referees are also reminded that all reports should be submitted and it has been noted that several referees are applying disciplinary sanctions during a game and not sending the reports in.
We meet again this week, Thursday 13th October at Lairds - See you all there !
The weather has been kind so far but pitches are now becoming wetter and we ask that all members read our section on pitch inspections available here.
We would also like to remind those who have not registered with Cheshire FA to do so as soon as possible. Without registration you have no back up from the FA if things go wrong during your game and you're likely to find that if you are actively refereeing, you may well be faced with a suspension.
Cheshire FA would also like to reiterate that it is imperative that all misconduct reports are sent to them within 48hrs of the match end. This is important due to the changes in suspensions for lower levels of football. Referees are also reminded that all reports should be submitted and it has been noted that several referees are applying disciplinary sanctions during a game and not sending the reports in.
We meet again this week, Thursday 13th October at Lairds - See you all there !