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It is with the deepest regret that I begin this edition of the Gravesend Branch Newsletter. As you will probably all be aware by the time you read this , our Branch Director of Coaching Roland Gawler passed away on 2nd November. Roland was a friend and an inspiration to all Referees, not just in our Branch, but throughout the county and beyond. He was also deeply instrumental in making the Gravesend Branch what it is today. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Maureen, Kate and Keith at this sad time.
This news unfortunately follows the sad news that Irene Taylor passed away on 18th October, having, like Roland, lost her battle with cancer. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to our Chairman Vic Taylor, and also to Jacqueline, Daniel and Catherine. Irene's popularity was demonstrated by the number of Branch members, as well as others from the football fraternity, in attendance ar her funeral.
On the football front, there have been one or two significant events since the last Newsletter. Sweden's victory over Poland gave England another opportunity to qualify for a major competition by the skin of their teeth, and their play off draw against Scotland is a mouthwatering prospect. I'm sure we will all be glued to our sets as much as we are able on 13th and 17th November. Let's hope we get the right result, and qualify for the European Championships. The group matches in the European Champions League are all but over, and qualification to the next stage has just about been finalised.Unfortunately, Arsenal have missed out, but it looks like Chelsea will be joining Manchester United in the next round. Surely their 5-0 win against Galatasaray was one of the results of the season!
On the Newsletter front, I am delighted to say that I have received two excellent contributions from a new source for this month's edition, and my thanks go to Rob Baker for his articles. Also included in this edition is an article by Steve Peeke which clarifies his role on our Branch Committee as Leagues Liaison Officer. This position is an important means of communication between our Branch and the leagues on which we operate, and if used correctly, Steve's role will benefit all Branch members. The role has developed significantly in the last couple of years, largely due to the efforts of Graham East, who held the position before Steve, and the Leagues Liaison Officer's report at Committee meetings has moved on from the days of "No report" to one of the longest reports of the evening.
All articles to Ian Miles, 17 Church Farm Road, Upchurch, Kent ME9 7AG, Telephone 01634 235148, Mobile 0836 - 353851, E-mail ian.miles@marshalls.co.uk..
SO WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE LEAGUES LIAISON OFFICER?
If you consider that our L.L.O. Steve Peeke has taken just one phone call this season concerning an incident involving a Branch member, it suggests that the relationships between ourselves and the leagues upon which we referee are in a healthy state. Or is it that some of us are unaware of Steve's position within the Branch and how he can be of assistance to us?
I've asked Steve to give us his thoughts on how both the leagues and the Branch members can utilise his position to the benefit of all concerned.
Here is his article………
Why does the Branch need a leagues liaison officer? If every Branch member carries out his duties correctly both on and off the field of play, and the leagues ensure that their clubs administer themselves without error at all times, then I would find myself attending every Branch committee meeting with "nothing to report".
Refereeing and football life, of course, is not like that. Inevitably incidents occur and mistakes are made, involving ourselves, players, club officials and league officials. Sometimes these occurences are unavoidable, sometimes they are caused by negligence, and finally an action may be deliberate. In any of these cases it may be necessary for me to act as a go-between for the Branch member concerned and the league connected with the incident.
Because the vast majority of us referee locally both on Saturday and Sunday, it follows that my involvement will most likely concern either the Gravesend F.L. or the North Kent Sunday F.L We have always enjoyed an excellent relationship with both leagues and I am sure that this will continue to be the case. Both leagues have a committee which has an excellent blend of both footballing and refereeing experience. I believe this benefits us tremendously, as they not only understand the needs of clubs and players, but appreciate our concerns and problems as well. It has been well documented over recent seasons that the number of local matches which have had an officially appointed referee has never been better. This is very much due to the efforts of the leagues' referees officers, both whom are Branch members, of course.
So everything in the garden is rosy, and as is often the case, those of you who are reading this are probably aware of the breakdowns and problems that can occur between ourselves and the leagues. That is not to say that we are all perfect. Whilst we all know that we are always likely to make mistakes on the pitch, we must ensure we also minimise our failures off of it. I am referring to administration.
During the summer, we receive our registration forms to be completed and returned to enable the leagues to produce their handbooks and issue them in time for the new season. How many of us leave to the last moment to complete the form and return it to the referees officer?
Do you keep everyone informed of closed dates? When I say everyone, I refer not only the leagues which you referee on, but also the divisional chief assessor (John Newson) and KCFA. In the earlier rounds of the county cups, John makes the appointments, with the latter rounds being dealt with by the county office.Competitions such as the Kent Intermediate Cup/Shield and the County Youth Cups are appointed directly by the KCFA. If you are fortunate to receive a county appointment and you already have a match on that date, do not assume that thereferees officer knows of your good fortune - make sure you contact him and ask to be released for the county match. It is also good pratice to contact the secretary of the club who you were originally to referee to let him know you won't be able to do his game. These are simply items of correct administration and common courtesies, but we are all guilty at times of letting things slip at times.
After the game, we have a match result card to complete. This is the ideal opportunity to communicate anything concerning the match that you feel the league should be made aware of:
Before the game - Did you have any problems with the pitch? Was it dangerous in any way? Were your changing facilities satisfactory? Was it safe and secure during the game?
During the game - Did you have problems with spectators or club officials? Did the clubs provide a suitable assistant for you?
After the game - Were you properly looked after by the home club? Did you receive your match fee?
I would suggest that you need to make your own judgement as to whether an incident, problem or observation only requires recording on the match result card. If you feel it is more serious, then it is imperative that you contact me as soon as possible by phone. If you are at all unsure about what to do , please ring me anyway.
If you are unfortunate to be assualted during or after a game, be it technical or physical, I would expect you again to contact me as soon as you can, if you cannot get hold of me on the day of the game, you should at least speak to another committee member and a league representative to which the match was appertaining. By doing this, we can ensure that the various bodies who need to be advised are contacted and the offending player or club official is dealt with swiftly and correctly.
Having looked back at what I have just written, it may seem like a lecture on what we are all getting wrong, plus a picture of every referee's worst nightmares. This was not my intention and as I stated earlier, I'm sure in most cases I'm preaching to the converted. As the presenter on Crimewatch says at the end of his broadcast, these incidents very rarely occur - don't have nightmares!
Seriously, if you are ever unsure about anything that has happened to you and need advice or guidance, I would rather you contact me and discuss it. Far better to do this than leave a problem for a fellow colleague to solve next weekend.
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While in France in September visiting a teacher friend of mine, I found myself roped into doing a spot of English teaching at a school in Boulogne. She'd told them all about me - 5'10 (or whatever the equivalent is in centimetres), 23 years old, suave, sophisticated, handsome...... and a football Referee to boot! Naturally I presented myself accordingly (not realizing that the majority of French schoolteachers turn up for work in casual clothing, one of whom even sported the trademark blue and white stripy T-Shirt!). There's me dressed in a suit and tie (my nice new Gravesend Branch tie I'd just bought off Ted Welch!), looking forward to a day teaching 13 year old French brats who dying to remind me how great the French national team is etc, etc.
After I'd finished, I was back home at her maison (a 17th century farmhouse set in quite romantic surroundings even though it's only 10 miles away from Calais!), when her farther comes in from the fields after a hard day's work. Presumably paying me some compliment (in French) of how snart I looked, he suddenly spots the tie and attempts to read it. Once he'd managed to pronounce "Kont Referris Assossiassion, Gravvessond," and I'd explained to him what it was (and where Gravesend was), he offered to buy it and shoved a 50 franc note in my hand. I couldn't accept the money, but I gave him the tie anyway - in exchange for a bottle of red Bordeaux wine and some mini bottles of Kanterbrau, of course!!
So next time we see French farmers on strike - blocking the roads, ports, airports etc., striking over the Common Agricultural Policy, or refusing to accept imports of British Beef, British Lamb, British anything, and one of them just happens to be wearing one of Ted's blue ties whilst waving a placard or defending a picket line, you know where it came from and who's responsible!!
Rob Baker
Those of you who read your minutes thoroughly (Itrust that is all of you), will notice that, from time to time, a member of the Committee arrives late for a Committee meeting. You will notice this because our illustrious assistant Secretary, Brian Foreman, conveniently makes mention of it when he types up the minutes. Some Committee members have even had their tardiness pointed out because it has takenthem a few minutes to get served at the bar prior to the meeting.
Imagine, then, the joy on everyone's faces when Brian himself arrived at 9.14pm. That's one hour and fourteen minutes late! His timing was actually spot on, as he was just in time to give his report as KRA Delegate. Needless to say, Nolan Wilde, who was taking the minutes in Brian's absence, was quick to make a note of the time for the records. In fairness to Brian, he ancluded the time in the minutes.
Ted Welch kindly advised the meeting that there were delays on the M25 at Clackett Lane Services, and Brian was probably held up there. On the basis of this evidence, I would strongly advise any of you not to accept an offer of a lift from Ted under any circumstances. Why? Because Brian works in the City of London, and would not even touch the M25, let alone Clackett Lane!
Whether in a stadium or on the park,
We’re out every weekend, from morning ‘till dark.
Secretaries with all our names,
Appoint us to our various games.
No matter whether it’s Kings Farm Rec. or Beauwater Leisure,
We can still be found enjoying our pleasure.
If you’re lucky you are a Ref,
Who is only half blind and just a bit deaf.
We check the nets and Field of Play,
And to the middle we make our way.
Then we call the captains together,
To toss a coin and discuss the weather.
Kick off time is here at last,
We use our whistles to give a loud blast.
For ninety minutes it’s trouble and strife,
And when we get home we’ll get it from the wife!
Wives and girlfriends watch from the line,
Nice legs and figures, all very fine.
The Ref as you know takes no notice of this,
Eyes on the game not a shapely young miss!
Supporters from both teams cheer their men on,
Lose this cup tie and their chance has gone.
Tempers are lost and takles are crude,
Things are said that are just a bit rude.
They try to con us and take a bad fall,
When it’s obvious to us there was no foul at all.
Most Referees used to play football themselves,
Until old age and injury put him on the shelf.
Most players knowledge of footballing law,
Is usually nil, or at best very poor,
Yet still they greet virtually every decision,
With loud dissent and hoots of derision!
Whinges and insults abound in the air,
They constantly moan that the Ref is unfair.
Remarks and gestures behind his back,
Are common to every man in black.
Matches each season three score and ten,
We’ll all admit to mistakes now and then.
Turn out in bad weather and get soaked to the skin,
We Refs are quite human although we look grim.
If you’re an old Ref you’re a silly old fool,
If you’re a young one it’s "Go Back to School!"
They’re not always the worlds that are used,
Just a selection of many with which we’re abused!
Players shout and several curse,
"Of all the Refs, you are the worst!"
Now they’re getting it out of proportion,
So out comes a card to give them a caution.
Kicks, trips and other fouls follow on fast,
Some make the Ref look quite aghast.
Finally the ball goes in the net,
Although it’s plainly offside so there’s no goal yet.
Then one team scores the winning goal,
They’re all elated, the other team cool.
As the winners walk off they still feel the same,
Some say "Well done Ref, you had a good game".
As winners they’re now a happy club,
But they rarely invite us Refs to the pub.
The losers are never as happy or glad,
In fact they’re pretty miserable and sad.
The Ref gets changed and makes his way home,
Some are getting on a bit, with less hair to comb.
His wife takes his muddy boots and washes them with water,
Saying "It’s about time you took me to Bluewater!"
He turns on the TV and watches the end of a play,
But really he’s wating for Match of the Day.
He thinks to himself "next week I’ll be back,
Cause they can’t play without us, us men in black!"
Thanks to Nolan Wilde for the following humorous story, found in a recent Tonbridge AFC programme.
A football hooligan appeared in court charged with disorderly conduct and assault. The arresting officer, giving evidence, stated that the accused had thrown something into the canal. "What exactly was it that he threw into the canal?" asked the magistrate. "Stones, sir", replied the officer. "Well, that's hardly an offence, is it, officer?" "It was in this case, sir. Stones was the Referee!".
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COUNTY QUIZ
Following a recent survey conducted amongst the various Branches in Kent., the format of the County Quiz has changed slightly for next year. Instead of 5 members in a team, there will now only be 4 in a team. Although our Branch voted to retain 5 team members, with John Aggett stepping down from the Quiz scene, this decision could work in our favour. However, if one of our team is unavailable for some reason, we may well have a problem.
The Gravesend Branch Quiz team has dominated the County Quiz for over a decade and a half (with a minor blip a couple of years ago), and also won the Southern Division Quiz for a decade, as well as being successful in the National Quiz Final. If you would like the opportunity to become part of the most successful quiz team in the country, then contact Ian Miles on 01634 - 235148.
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Colin Morris announced recently that he has decided that it is time to practise what he preaches. Well, at least that's what he said. Unfortunately for Colin, he was refereeing recently on a pitch adjoining the one where one of my spies was operating.
The other official (who must remain nameless, of course) was sucking on a slice of orange during his half time interval when he saw Colin award a throw in. A player took the throw in, and Colin blew his whistle to stop the game. He then instructed the same player to take the throw in again from the correct place, which was some ten yards further back towards his own goal.
When challenged after the game, Colin claimed that it was his only mistake in the ninety minutes. He suspected that I might get to hear about the incident, but I feel it is my duty to newer Branch members to point out that the correct decision should be a throw in to the opposition from the correct point. When he reads this, Colin will probably claim that he knew he was being watched, and deliberately made the wrong decision so that Branch members could learn from his experience!!
