Ref Watch ...... Aldershot

[Mick]

For the second time in 4 days we will be refereed by an official from Salisbury. This time it's 5th year referee, Roger East in charge.

A familiar figure to most of us as he did the recent televised game at Gillingham a couple of months ago (2 yellows and three points to us).

He achieved some success as an Assistant Referee being appointed to the 2004 Cup Final and a couple of playoff finals. Wasn't uniformly popular especially in his Conference days but seems to have settled into the Football League and has refereed a good number of Championship games.

He made two visits to Roots Hall last season; the first wasn't great on a number of levels. Firstly, we were awful. Secondly he wasn't much better with 6 cautions shared equally between the two teams. We were very lucky to get away with only a 3-1 defeat to Port Vale. His next appearance was the 3-2 home defeat by Chesterfield with 4 cautions - all to them.

Before that, Southend games officiated included Northampton and Yeovil, both away four seasons ago, Millwall at home three seasons ago and Brighton away the season before last.

The other one was Exeter away the season before last when we lost 1-0 and he sent off Corr whilst he was playing for them. He also sent off Ibehre for us.

The shaven-headed Mr East has relented a lot on his card showing this season and is comfortably the right side of average with 103 yellows and 5 reds from a highish 37 games.

His assistants will be Ryan Atkin from London and ex-Ukranian top flight referee who now hails from Middlesex, Ole Saliy.

Decent non-league referee Barry Holderness will be making the very short journey from Wickford to do the 4th Official stuff.

 

[londonblue]

A question for you. Referees and assistants not only have to be neutral, but have to be seen to be neutral. So what would happen if the Mr. East was taken ill, one of the assistants takes over, the local lad Barry Holderness takes over a line, and someone from the crowd takes over the board (as has happened on a number of occasions). At some point big bad Barry Holderness gives us a controversial decision, for example, gives a goal when the ball didn't actually cross the line, or flags for a dubious penalty?

Aren't whoever appoints referees taking a chance for no reason? Would it not be better to ensure that none of the officials are local?

 

[Mick]

A question for you. Referees and assistants not only have to be neutral, but have to be seen to be neutral. So what would happen if the Mr. East was taken ill, one of the assistants takes over, the local lad Barry Holderness takes over a line, and someone from the crowd takes over the board (as has happened on a number of occasions). At some point big bad Barry Holderness gives us a controversial decision, for example, gives a goal when the ball didn't actually cross the line, or flags for a penalty?

Aren't whoever appoints referees taking a chance for no reason? Would it not be better to ensure that none of the officials are local?

There are a few referees who are actually supporters of clubs and they declare their allegencies and don't officiate their teams. There does seem to be a trend to appointing some more local 4th officials and I don't think it's a huge problem. Where would you draw the line? 10 miles? 15 miles? 20 miles? Some officials do have shortcomings, but I don't think neutrality is one of them.

PS I should probably have said lack of neutrality !

 

[londonblue]

There are a few referees who are actually supporters of clubs and they declare their allegencies and don't officiate their teams. There does seem to be a trend to appointing some more local 4th officials and I don't think it's a huge problem. Where would you draw the line? 10 miles? 15 miles? 20 miles? Some officials do have shortcomings, but I don't think neutrality is one of them.

I'm not suggesting the officials are anything other than neutral, just that by having a local involved may open them up to unnecessary criticism...

 

[Maldon Blues]

Rob Whitton regularly runs the line at Roots Hall and he is a keen Blues fan.

 

[Mick]

Rob Whitton regularly runs the line at Roots Hall and he is a keen Blues fan.

I think he would probably describe himself as a lapsed Blues fan. He's doing pretty well and getting some good appointments.

 

[Fiftyone]

Mick, what do you think are the chances that Amy Fearn will get on the league referees list next season?.

I notice that she has been getting lots of appointments in the Conference National league this season. Saw her for the first time at Braintree on Saturday and though she had a decent game.

 

[Mick]

Mick, what do you think are the chances that Amy Fearn will get on the league referees list next season?.

I notice that she has been getting lots of appointments in the Conference National league this season. Saw her for the first time at Braintree on Saturday and though she had a decent game.

Not great, I'd say. Promotions will probably come from the likes of Jeremy Simpson, Andy Davies, Steve Martin and maybe a return from Steve Bratt. Amy Fearn has never done particularly well when I've seen her (although here "lining" has been fine) and I sometimes wonder (if I'm allowed to!) what level she'd be refereeing at, if she were a he.

 

[Grayson]

In the 3-2 Chesterfield game didn't he award them two penalties?

 

[Mick]

Yes, one in each half; they scored them both.

 

[yogi bear up the cagire]

Reckon this could be quite a fiery encounter, given recent history and the importance of the points at stake.