This is the latest version of our newsletter and we hope that there is something of interest for everyone. “The
Whole Game System” is now an important part of the refereeing administration programme, thank you for
your continued support.
Congratulations
On behalf of everyone at the Sussex County FA and the Refereeing Working Committee we would like to
extend our congratulations to the following officials for achieving a Promotion:
Promoted to Level 6
Paul Amoo - Conall Bartlett - Peter Dingle
Michael Forman - Steve Hassett - Ciaran Kane
Sean Melody - Paddy O’Reilly - Tom Price
Connor Sullivan - Harry Tingley - Greg Van Wyk
Michelle Watkins (Also promoted 5-4 on Women’s Pathway)
Well Done on
Your
Promotion
Promoted to Level 5
Charles Bowen – Des Childs
Stephen Dedman – Stuart Ramsey
Mark Spence – Callum Tulley and Jonathon Wilks
Nominated to Level 4 (Subject to FA Decision)
Alex Bradley – Ciaran Fidler – Robert King – Callum Tulley - Greig Walker and Wayne Webb
Promoted to Level 3
Steve Hughes and Craig Simpson
Select Group 2
Tim Robinson
Featured in this edition of the Referees’ Newsletter:
Misconduct Report Writing
World Record Fundraising Attempt
Female Cup Final Team
Gaining / Maintaining Respect
Referees’ Newsletter
Issue No.34 (Spring 2016)
Referees’ Department
Sussex County FA
Culver Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN15 9AX
Paul Jeffery
Farewell to Our County Training Officer
As the 2015/16 season draws to a close, we say a fond farewell to David King, who has decided to
step down as our Sussex County FA Training Officer. It would be wrong of us not to look back and
reflect on a quite remarkable career.
David passed his referee’s exam in December 1961 and started out very early as a
Class 3 on the Sussex County Football League as a Linesman, (Assistant Referee). We
think that we have bad winter’s now but between January and March 1963, football
was snowed off! The 1965/66 season saw David promoted to Class 2 and begin
serving on the Athenian League as a Linesman until promotion to Class 1 for the
1969/70 season saw David refereeing on the Sussex County Football and Athenian
Leagues. The next season brought further promotion to Football Combination
League as Linesman. Numerous Sussex County FA and local league cup semi-final
and final appearances followed, through to his next promotion in the 1973/74 season to referee on
the Football Combination League. At the end of the 1974/75 season David refereed the Sussex
County FA Professional Cup Final between Crawley and Brighton and Hove Albion, including the
replay, topped off by promotion to the Football League as a Linesman! At the end of the next
season, David was a linesman for the FA Youth Cup Quarter Final between Tottenham Hotspur and
Liverpool and refereed the Sussex Senior Cup Final played between Southwick and Worthing.
The 1977/78 saw David receive his highest accolade, when he was appointed as Reserve Linesman
at the FA Charity Shield, played between Liverpool and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. In
the next couple of years David received Linesman appointments in two FA Cup Quarter Finals
between Arsenal v Southampton and West Ham v Aston Villa, and whilst serving as a Linesman at
the Division 4 game in the Football League between Wimbledon v Darlington, David came on to
referee the second half, due to an injury to the match referee, yes, no fourth officials back then!
During the 1984/85 season, David was appointed as Linesman to the Football League Milk Cup
Quarter Final Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday, before stepping down and returning to local football
for the 1985/86 season, for a further seven years.
David has always been an active member of the Referee’s Association to date and has held many
positions within the association. David continued his passion of sharing his knowledge and
experience by becoming an FA Licensed Tutor and Assessor and has helped develop countless
referees over the years, also adding Safeguarding Tutoring to his bow. Most of you will recognise
David from his role as Sussex County FA Training Officer. Over the past nine years or so, David has
been instrumental in many of the Referee Development events as well as mentoring and leading
the Tutor Workforce. Those lucky enough to have received Sussex County FA Cup Final
appointments will have seen David leading the evenings to help you prepare for the ‘big day’.
Latterly, David was rewarded by the national R.A., F.A. and Sussex County F.A. for fifty years
continued service, now nearly fifty five years, we salute you.
Particularly as a County, we are indebted to you David for your fantastic length of service, often
beyond the call of duty. May your ‘retirement’ be as long as your career and devotion to football!
First All Female Match Officials Team
Anna Baker, Nicole Baitup and Emily Bigwood made a piece of history in the
Crowborough and District Junior Football League when they stepped out and
took charge of the Under 13 Knockout Cup Final match between Langton
Green Sports Club Falcons and Wadhurst United Junior Tigers.
This was the first ever all female match official line up for the Crowborough and District
Junior Football League. Anna, Nicole and Emily have been refereeing since January /
February 2015, just completing their first full season.
They normally all referee in the league, mainly Under 11-13, on Saturdays and Sundays.
Emily and Nicole fit it in and around playing on Sundays for Broad Oak and Horam Girls
Under 16, Anna also swims competitively at county level galas throughout the year.
They are currently about to take their GCSEs but also looking to fit in playing and refereeing
at some summer tournaments.
An action packed game saw 2 penalties, 1
missed 1 scored, and the winners
Wadhurst came from 1 goal down to lift
the cup.
All the girls are looking to continue to
referee in the new season and also to take
advantage of the development evenings
offered by the county to help increase their
knowledge and confidence whilst both on
and off the pitch.
The girls proudly show off their mementos
from the game, played at Hailsham Town
F.C.
Congratulations (left to right) Emily, Anna and Nicole!
Message from the Sussex County FA Referees’ Fitness Coach
May I suggest you gauge where you currently are with your fitness, for the level of football
that you are officiating at and from this, to then maintain, adjust, change, increase or
decrease your training as required. Many people use a somewhat gung-ho approach to
fitness, through joining gyms and going to train, however, this kind of approach can often
only be a short term improvement, whereas, the key is for health and fitness is long term
consistency and gains. Slowly building and maintaining will produce much better results.
It may seem a quite a long way off yet but the summer fitness will soon be coming up once
again, please find the dates for this year’s fitness tests below:
7th July 2016 @ K2, Crawley
24th July 2016 @ Withdean Stadium, Brighton
For everyone, although specifically to those officials who will
be taking
the tests this summer, combine your current matches, along with training a few times each
week and this will enable the test this summer to hopefully be a comfortable challenge.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone a successful rest of the season and if I can be any assistance
for any fitness related queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Jacob Miles
Sussex County FA Referees' Fitness Coach
Sussex County FA Referees’ Department - Contacts
Please note, the direct telephone number for us is 01903 768 573. We request that you
use this one, as the general office number is usually busy and it will save the time of the
other departments fielding calls.
To offer guidance for:
Referee Course – Registration – Whole Game System – Observation Scheme and RA-FA
Youth Council contact Jacob Miles – Referee Administrator - [email protected]
Coaches – Development Groups – In Service Training / Development Events – Tutors and
Promotion Scheme contact Paul Jeffery – Referee Officer - [email protected]
Central Appointments – Closed Dates – County Cup Appointments - contact Ray Welch –
Central Appointments Officer [email protected]
Ray is not based at Headquarters and can be contacted by email or by telephone
01273 705332
07754 790962 urgent calls only NO TEXTS
Heartbeat United in World Record Attempt
As I am sure some of you will have heard, Heartbeat United FC, a group who are raising
funds for a permanent memorial for Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt, the two Worthing
United players, (and qualified referees) who lost their lives in the Shoreham Air Disaster,
whilst on their way to a game and for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of Matt
Chaplain, who played for Shoreham FC, before losing his life to a cardiac arrest, whilst in his
30s.
However, they intend to break a Guinness World Record by playing the longest ever football
match, currently 105 hours, yes four and a half days! This will be starting early on Thursday
26th May through to the Monday Bank Holiday at Lancing College. The game has to be
played to FIFA Laws, apart from duration of the match, with a maximum of 18 players on
each of the two teams.
So how can you help? For the attempt to be
successful, qualified match officials have to be
used throughout the whole event, days and nights.
They require four match officials at all times, a
referee, two assistants and a reserve official.
As this is a charity event there will not be a match
fee, but food and drinks will be supplied. I know
many of you will have already support the victims
of the Air Disaster in various ways, but ask you to
give up some time to support these causes.
If you would like to be a part of this event, please
email with the day and specific times that you are
available. [email protected]
Note those that have already replied do not need
to reply further, a schedule confirming times will be sent out in due course, those offering
options will be allocated slots as requested.
Time slots
Thursday 26th
Friday 27th
Saturday 28th
Sunday 29th
Monday 30th
6am – 2pm
6am – 2pm
6am – 2pm
6am – 2pm
6am – 2pm
Many thanks for your support
2pm – 10pm
2pm – 10pm
2pm – 10pm
2pm – 10pm
2pm – 6pm
10pm – 6am
10pm – 6am
10pm – 6am
10pm – 6am
Benefits of Online Discipline Reporting – Whole Game System
Most of you are now familiar with the system. However, here are a few key
benefits of Online Discipline Reporting from our Governance Team:
Once the match official has pressed the ‘Submit’ button:
 All cases are instantly available for review by the Governance team and
the charges can be issued within a few clicks of a button.
 Cautions against existing individuals (selected from the list of names)
automatically charge, so as soon as the referee submits the report, the
club receives the cases in their portal.
 We can easily merge or combine cases and reports where more than
one match official has reported an incident.
 If any changes need to be made to the reports which have been
submitted, they can be set back to ‘not submitted’ and appear in your
portal again, be amended, and resubmitted easily.
 A PDF document for each report is produced and can be found in the
Referee’s portal – so a record of all reports is available without taking up
space on Hard Drives.
 No need to open and print reports submitted via email – saves time and
money.
 No need to open postal reports, nor send replacements via post – saves
time and money.
 Saves time of the Match Official, as no Excel or Posting, direct into WGS
and sent to correct CFA depending on Club/Team etc.
 Lessens the burden of Admin on everyone, Match Official, Club, CFA etc
 Saves the Match Officials money on stamps, envelopes etc, as well as
mentioned below the Club and CFA too.
Guide to Misconduct Report Writing – Why Reporting Misconduct is Essential
Many thanks for using the Whole Game system for reporting. Always report Discipline that
has occurred in a game. Yes, clubs phone us up to see why they haven’t received caution /
misconduct notifications!
Law 5, the powers and duties of the referee include:
 Takes disciplinary action against players guilty of cautionable and sending-off
offences. They are not obliged to take this action immediately but must do so when
the ball next goes out of play.
 Takes action against team officials who fail to conduct themselves in a responsible
manner and may, at their discretion, expel them from the field of play and its
immediate surrounds.
 Acts on the advice of assistant referees regarding incidents which have not been
seen by the referee. (A separate report will be required).
 Provides the appropriate authorities with a match report which includes information
on any disciplinary action against players, and / or team officials and any other
incidents which occurred before, during or after the match.
Therefore the Laws of the Game require TWO things of referees whenever they caution or
send off a player or observe misconduct:
 They must report the incident.
 They must compile a report and send it to the appropriate authority within the
stipulated time. Only a player or substitute or substituted player may be shown the
red or yellow card. Referees have the authority to take disciplinary sanctions (yellow
& red cards) from the moment they enter the field of play until they leave after the
final whistle. Anything outside of this period must be reported to the County FA on a
Standard Misconduct report form.
The Report Itself
Describing the offence itself is probably the most difficult part and the following advice is
given for your consideration:
1. Whenever you caution or send off a player, you must report this, you have no
discretion.
2. Such a report must be submitted within 2 days (Sundays and Bank Holidays are not
included) to the appropriate County Football Association.
3. You are the eyes and ears of the Disciplinary Committee and your report must reflect
only information related to the incident.
4. Be accurate in your reporting of the incident – avoid confusing or conflicting
statements.
5. Be brief – you are only required to report the incident leading up to the sending off.
Information about the state of the playing surface or climatic conditions should be
included ONLY if you feel they play a part in the incident described.
6. Be clear – stick rigidly to a description of the incident; it is not for you to pass
judgement. The disciplinary committee will make a judgement from the information
you provide.
7. In the presentation of your report, try to make sure that what you write is clear,
correctly spelt and punctuated. It is often wise, particularly in the early days of your
career, to seek approval of what you have written from a more experienced
colleague.
The 8 point approach to compiling a sending off report
Let’s take a look at an example of the 8 pieces of information to include in order to write an
Accurate, Brief and Clear report….
1. What happened?
A foul was committed on an opponent
2. What type of foul was it?
A late, double footed challenge with both feet off the ground
3. What aspect of Law has been broken?
Law 12, Serious Foul Play, as this was a serious offence which had the potential to
endanger the safety of the opponent
4. Where was the ball?
The opponent had just released the ball from his possession
5. Where on the field of play did the offence take place?
Mid-way into the oppositions half
6. What position was I in?
I was about 10 metres away and had a clear and unobstructed view of the incident
7. At what minute in the game did this incident occur?
28th minute
8. What action is required?
This is serious foul play, therefore I sent the player off
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Summary – Please Remember These Key Points
Always report Discipline that has occurred in a game. It is a requirement under
referee regulations and failure to report could result in a misconduct charge against
the referee.
Ensure the report is short and concise but factual and covering all (and only) the
salient points.
Avoid your opinions and stick to the facts.
Submit the report within two working days.
Only send the report to the County FA using the Whole Game System.
Be prepared to attend disciplinary hearings if requested to do so.
Entering misconduct on a match return card to a league is completely separate
from sending it to the County FA. DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO!
Gaining/Maintaining Respect
What is Respect?
If we refer to the Collins English Dictionary it means “an attitude of admiration, esteem or
regard; polite or kind regard; to show consideration for, treat courteously or kindly”.
How does a Referee earn respect?
As in any walk of life respect has to be earned, it is not a given. Role modelling appropriate
positive behaviours both on and off the field of play is essential to the Referee gaining the
respect of players; fellow Match Officials; Managers/Coaches; and, who knows, perhaps
even the crowd? These behaviours include:
• Preparing fully & properly for each match.
•
Acting, and being seen to act, honestly & impartially at all times.
•
Applying the Laws of the Game correctly & consistently throughout the match.
•
Remaining calm, positive & confident (not arrogant) in all situations.
•
Communicating clearly & effectively to all parties.
•
Providing leadership & support to your fellow Match Officials.
•
Dealing with poor/unacceptable behaviour (see below) firmly & appropriately,
including use of the relevant sanction.
•
Submitting accurate & concise post-match reports in a timely manner.
Examples of Poor/Unacceptable Behaviour by Players
• Continually asking questions to undermine you.
•
Repeatedly moaning about your decisions.
•
Making gestures in a derogatory manner.
•
Running at you openly disputing your decisions.
•
Players surrounding you challenging your decisions, pressurising you to change your
mind.
Response to Poor/Unacceptable Behaviour
You MUST deal with it positively at the time that it occurs, and MUST NOT ignore it. If
possible/appropriate you should utilise the “stepped approach” to managing players,
including considering using the team captain to help manage situations. When doing so you
should:
• Remember and, if necessary, remind the captain that he/she has no status in Law.
•
Consider if they will be helpful or not before calling them in.
•
Consider the distance they are away from the situation and the disruption it may
cause if you involve them.
•
Clearly explain to them why you have involved them and what you would like them
to do.
•
Make it clear that if there is no improvement in, or a reoccurrence of, the
unacceptable behaviour then a disciplinary sanction is likely to be applied.
•
Give them time to get back into position before re-starting play.
Summary
It is important to remember that Referees have an important part to play in football in this
country. Each and every one of you must enforce the Laws of the Game fairly and
consistently. Your role in improving behaviour is fundamental to ensuring respect is gained
and maintained in our great game, and you must therefore ensure that you have the
knowledge (e.g. of completion rules & regulations; of the Laws of the Game; etc.) and the
skills (e.g. verbal communication; man-management; self-management; leadership; etc.)
that enable you to do so.
Good luck for the rest of the season (& beyond)!!
Gary Willard
Senior Development Group Head Coach
Chairman’s Report
As another season draws to a close, I would like to congratulate all that gained both Semi
and Cup Finals, and to those that gained promotions at various
levels. I am sure that all of you would join me in thanking all
officers who have helped you to achieve your rewards this
season. This season, more than ever before, the colour of shirts
worn by some clubs has caused a lot of debate. The Sussex
County FA sanction the colour of the shirts and that is where it should end. Neale Barry,
Head of Refereeing at the Football Association, has again advised that all County Match
Officials must wear BLACK only. If it is proven that another colour shirt is worn by match
officials, the consequences may well be an FA Referee Charge.
To those who are not looking for promotion, but turn out week after week a very big thank
you, you are the back bone of refereeing.
Enjoy the summer break and thank you for your contribution to Sussex
Football.
I wish you all well and good luck for Rest of the Season
Regards,
Wally Elvin, Sussex County FA Referees’ Working Committee Chairman
The Referees’ Association is on a mission, during the last six months The RA has made a step
change in the benefits package available to all referees, which is now market leading with a
training and resource available everyday including sports science, game management and a
growing library of grass roots material.
You can join The RA from the comfort of your own home 24/7 joining an On-Line experience
backed-up by a local support network, with nine local branches in Sussex.
Go to https://the-ra.org/find-nearest.php for more details. In addition to the Eve of Final
and Conference events which are free to members, The RA is now giving an additional 10%
off an already market leading price on kit and equipment.
The RA has recently represented two referees nationally who have been charged by The FA.
The RA reminds all referees that we support The FA’s drive for equality in the widest form
and referees are reminded about the proper use of social media.
The RA has spoken to referees who have been abused and/or assaulted and we are working
nationally to firm-up the care package for all referees.
We are jointing calling on the Police and courts to treat any abuse more effectively, and in
the near future and in conjunction with The FA working to achieve a far more positive
outlook to refereeing.
The RA is providing “something for everyone” and representing referees nationally, come
and join our organisation.
Referee Shop
Don’t forget, the Sussex County FA, in partnership with Premier Sports and Leisure, have an online
Referee Shop selling official Sussex County FA Nike clothing and equipment. Please see below a
selection of products. Shortly you should be able to see a sweatshirt and ‘Kit Bundles’ also
available.
Core Tee - £16.99
100% cotton short sleeved tee with rib crew neck. Black with white Nike
swoosh on the right breast and the Sussex County FA patch on the left
breast.
Core Polo - £21.98
smart 100% cotton polo shirt. Short sleeved with a two button placket, ribbed collar
and sleeve hem. Standard fit. Black with embroidered Nike swoosh on the right breast
and the Sussex County FA patch on the left breast.
Sideline Jacket - £37.99
water repellent lightweight woven jacket ideal for keeping you warm prematch. Black with white piping and with the Sussex County FA patch on the left
breast it features two zipped side pockets and a ventilation panel at the back
yoke. 100% Dri-FIT polyester.
Sideline Pant - £29.99
black light weight woven pant ideal for pre-match or warm-up. Elasticated waistband
with draw cord, zipped side pockets and zips at the lower legs. 100% polyester.
Rain Jacket - £38.98
The Foundation 12 rain jacket is lightweight but designed to keep you performing at
a high level during bad weather. Black with Sussex County FA patch on the left breast
it features a packable hood and zipped side pockets. 100% nylon.
Hardcase Bag - £33.00
Reinforced and water-resistant construction, makes this the
ideal bag for wet pitches and locker room floors. Wet/dry separation, removable
tray, adjustable padded shoulder straps and handles. 100% polyester.
For further details and to view enlargeable images of the products please visit the online shop,
http://www.sussex-referee.kitfor.co.uk/
http://www.premiersportsonline.co.uk/SussexCountyFA/