The Whistle December 2000
Minutes
of the Wimbledon Refereesı Society Meeting
held at K.C.S. Old Boys Rugby F.C., Arthur Road, Motspur Park
on Monday 13th November 2000.
Meeting started at 7.45pm.
Chairmanıs welcome.
Alan welcomed everyone to the Meeting including Brian Percival just returned
from his round the world cycle tour, the recently qualified members and Philip
Don.
1. Apologies for absence.
Gawain Owen Bert Jones Chris Wright David Blake Trevor
Farrant
Sean Duguid Larry Kehoe Bill Goodsell (W. London)
Alan then made the introduction of our Guest Speaker Philip Don who spoke about
his role as Referees' Officer for the F.A. Premier League. His talk
was concluded with a vote of thanks by Neil Mosley and a presentation of a
Society pen and a bottle of Surrey wine.
Break.
Following the break a presentation of an R.A. Badge and whistle was made by our
President John Crook to some of the 21 successful candidates from the previous
Thursdayıs examination.
2. Minutes of the last Society Meeting held on 9th October 2000.
Agreed a true record and signed by the Chairman.
3. Matters arising.
* We are speaking at the Wimbledon League Meeting on 5th December. I
have received a copy of
the advert being sent out to all Clubs on the League from David
Blake and we are now classed as "The Refereesı Roadshow".
We will be arranging a date with the Morden & District F.L. in the new
year.
* No up-date on "rolling sub's" or "golden goals" as
yet.
* In response to an appeal for any female members to play football we now
have 5 names and I hope we'll get more interest to report back at the next
Delegates Meeting.
* The Committee will be holding a special Meeting to discuss the R.A.
Restructuring Document in the new year. We would be grateful
for any comments from the members which could be
useful during these discussions.
* It was quite a good turnout at the October I.S.T. but there is always
room for improvement as these I.S.T's are vital for all referees.
We hope to have some feedback / comments in the December
magazine.
* Re. the question raised at the last Meeting regarding youth leagues which
are suitable for those going for promotion. I have spoken to
Ray Ward, Eddie St. John and Ron Meadwell and
information received is as follows:
* The game must be a County recognised League and be over 16's.
It is down to the discretion of each Advisory Secretary as to
which games he thinks would be a suitable
test for referees going from 3 to 2.
Only one game would be considered each promotional year from a
suitable youth league.
* Ron did express grave disappointment that not everyone purchased the
compulsory 5 raffle tickets at last month's meeting. He promises
that for a small payment these names wouldn't be published in the next
magazine.
* The F.A. quidelines regarding portable goals were published in the
November magazine.
4. Secretary's report / Correspondence.
* Hot from the County today. Power League Soccer - Sanctioning
withdrawn - referee assaulted - records not kept - large amount of
money owing. Do not referee Power League.
* All Minutes received from various meetings / Committees: Main points
have been, or will be, published in the magazine.
* There is a SCRATOC Meeting tomorrow evening (14th) and a large part of
this Meeting will be used to discuss the way all Societies recruit referees
and what happens on the first night of each course.
We will also be looking at any questions of law which have not yet been
resolved, hopefully to get some answers.
* All those of you who have been refereeing for more than 5 years should,
we hope, shortly be receiving a copy of Advice on the
Application of the Laws of the game'via the County R.A.
* The Development Group for 14 - 18 year olds kicks off on Monday 20th
November at Fetcham Park Utd. All invites have
gone out but talk to me if you havenıt received one. I am unsure
of the date for the older Development Group.
* The County R.A. Quiz takes place on 30th November. Chris and
Barry are organising the team which will, of course, need all the support
it can get, so please ask me for details of the
supporters coach being organised.
This is a quiz on the Laws of the game so perhaps those recently qualified
might be interested.
* The R.A. 5-a-sides will be on Sunday 7th January 2001. Names
please to our management team, Steve Earl and Trevor Farrant.
* Several of the Committee plus partners attended the Guildford 75th
celebrations and it was an excellent occasion as you can see by the
write-ups in "The Whistle". We are already beginning
to make plans for our 75th in the year 2003 and hoping to book a venue
before long.
* Woking's Xmas Social is on Friday 1st December with buffet and cabaret at
£5 per head.
* The Wimbledon Little League are holding a Disco at the David Lloyd Centre
on Saturday 2nd December at £3 per head or £5 per couple.
* I have secured the services of Alan Smith for our March Meeting and we
hope that he is still in management at Crystal Palace by then.
* Sponsorship for Brian Percival has still been growing with donations
coming in recently. The total now stands at £650 but we hope more of you
will like to make a donation or ask
family, friends, colleagues to donate in the next few weeks now that Brian
has returned.
5. Treasurer's report.
* As Richard was not present there was no report.
6. Training Officer's report.
* Barry offered his congratulations to all the new members on their exam
success. It was one of the best courses weıve had and offered
his thanks to Val, Vince, Chris, Bob and those who helped.
The next course is in January 2001.
7. Press Officer's report.
* The caption competition is going well. Winner to be announced in
the December mag.
* A list of new members will be circulated with the next Whistle which can
be attached to the Society Handbook.
8. Social report.
* The next Meeting on the 11th December will be the Xmas Social.
Business will be kept to a minimum to allow
members to socialise and take part in the quiz and eat the food.
* Friday 16th february 2001 has been reserved for the Race Night.
9. Supplies Officer's report.
* Barry had plenty of stock for Xmas gifts including fleeces, jumpers etc.
* Werner Cramer donated a brand new pair of size 13 boots - cost £20.
10. Retention Officer's report.
* Due to the bad weather Bob hadn't been out much but is available if
anyone wishes to contact him.
11. President's remarks.
* John said it was a pleasure to make so many presentations in one evening
and thanked all those who helped on the course.
* He welcomed Noel from the Wimbledon & District F.L. and added that
some referees in that League were moving the ball 10 yards at
free kicks. This is wrong as this experimental law only applies
to the Premier League.
* All Surrey referees serving over 5 years on the County list will be sent
the F.A's Advice on the Application of the Laws - essential
reading for any referee.
* John clarified the position regarding the charging of goalkeepers.
A goalkeeper can be fairly charged anywhere on the field of
play (see November's Whistle).
12. Membership Secretary's report.
* Chris was sorry for not being present for the second half of the Meeting
because of family commitments. The good news is that we now
have 156 full members and 14 associates, an increase
already on last year of 18 members with the rest of the season still to come
13. Match Incidents(Click for all match incidents)
14. Any other
business.
* Alan reminded members to open and read correspondence from County office.
Report Forms are being returned to referees if the full
name of the player isn't stated initials will no longer be accepted.
The raffle was drawn and the Meeting closed at 10.10pm. Stephen Saul
- Asst. Secretary
Thanks to
everyone who turned up early at the last meeting enabling us to start on time at
7.45pm. The number of members who attended was probably the best for a few
seasons, and I am sure everyone found the talk by Phil Don most interesting and
informative.
Thanks go to Phil for giving up his time to come along and give us an insight
into his role at the Premier League and how professional the officials at the
top level are now. Looking around the audience, when Phil mentioned the fees the
officials get on the Premier League there was certainly some eyes lighting up
amongst our younger members. Hopefully in a few years time we will have some of
our youngsters operating at the highest level.
For those members who passed the exam in November but could not make the last
meeting, congratulations and good luck in your future refereeing careers. I hope
we will see you at some stage at our meetings.
Our next meeting is our Christmas Social evening, which has now become an
important date in a lot of peoples diaries. We always invite referees
secretaries from the local leagues and many others involved in local football.
So if you want an enjoyable social evening there will be plenty of food, drink,
games/quizzes but, most importantly the chance to chat amongst other referees.
We always welcome partners and other halves so please bring them along as well.
The evening also gives you the chance to either buy or win on the raffle some
Christmas presents. (ask the Curry & Herron Families)
For those who cannot make it on Monday the 11th December I wish you and your
families an enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year. Alan
YOUR SECRETARYS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Your Secretary's Christmas Message
Well, if you were in attendance at last months Meeting, it will probably
have dawned on you as to one of my reasons for standing down as Secretary next
May. My mind has finally reached saturation point (no comment from
you please Ron!) and I'm gradually losing it if, that is, I ever had
it in the first place (got in first there Ron!) (Pinching my lines again
Valerie? - Ed.). Having to deal with my report at break-neck speed,
with no thought for my vocal cords and the speed of mind and tongue working
together (which usually they do - or have done), meant that co-ordination of
days and dates went out of the window. My thanks go to Anne and Emma
who came equipped with a womens best friend, their diary, (You must be joking
Val - Ed.) and were able to correct my mistakes
.
We are now seriously considering the ability to use a diary correctly as a vital
asset for the person who takes over as Secretary. (Just possessing
one will not be enough but it may well get you on the short list!) This
month I've decided that, being the season of goodwill to all men - and women -
that I won't "have a dig" at anyone except me (oh - and Ron, but then
thatıs also in the job description - sorry Ron!).
You will notice that this months magazine contains bits and pieces to hopefully
bring a smile to your face, some of which may have very little, if anything, to
do with football - we hope youıll enjoy!
So far this season we've had some excellent Guest Speakers and last month was a
great turnout to hear Phil Don. We hope to have a bit of a write up
in this magazine and January's because Phil had so much information to pass on
to us. If anyone would like to express their views, please feel free
to write and tell us and we may look at publishing further comments.
We thank Phil for giving up his precious time away from his family to
speak to us.
We have more speakers lined up for 2001 including Barry Knight, Adam Crozier and
Alan Smith. We are already starting to plan for season 2001-2002 as
well as the 75th Anniversary in 2003.
We pride ourselves on being a forward looking Society, never happy just to sit
back on our laurels. But we are also a Society that knows how to
enjoy ourselves and our Christmas Social Meeting on 11th December will, I'm
sure, show just how we manage that.
Please make every effort to attend with family, friends and colleagues.
Enjoy the food, the chat, buy your Committee a drink (or two!) and
don't forget to enter into the spirit of our quiz and organise a team to take
part.
I wish you and your families a very peaceful Christmas and everything you could
hope for in the New Year.
Best wishes. Val.
Many congratulations to:
Jack Biddell, David Blake, Ashley Coombes, Barry Dowdeswell, Harry Dowell,
Hugh Edwards, Frank Gale, Adeıle Moore, Stephen Palmer, William Paradine,
Daniel Pitt, Paul Thomas, Richard Tidman, Neale Titchener, Gareth Wasbrough,
Darren and Diane Wyatt who all successfully passed the referees exam on 9th
November. A 100% pass rate from our recent course!
Congratulations also to: Darren, Lee, Robbie and Mark who, having now
turned 14, returned to re-sit the exam after passing it originally last March.
Barry and I have thoroughly enjoyed this course as all the candidates have been
enthusiastic and inter-active throughout. Many of them are involved
in Little League Football and some may go on to referee adults football.
Whatever they choose to do, we wish them every success, hope they
will become active members of the Society and enjoy their refereeing.
It was especially pleasing to see Barry, Harry, Frank, Stephen, William,
Richard, Neale, Darren and Diane attending the November Meeting to receive our
congratulations and presentation of the R.A. Badge and whistle.
Diane Wyatt very kindly wrote a brief article to go in this monthıs magazine of
her impressions of the training course.
David Blake, Secretary of the Wimbledon & District F.L. also wrote to say
"Thanks to both you and Barry for the excellent way in which you took the
Referee training course. As well as putting over the knowledge in a
very interesting and easy to understand manner, you also made it a very
enjoyable experience. Many thanks."
Please note that the next course begins on:
Thursday 18th January 2001
(running for 9 weeks, with exam on Thursday 22nd March)
Names can be given to Barry or Val.
Many thanks to those who came along to give their support - Vince, Alan, Chris
and Bob. Barry and Val. (The A Team)
Mission accomplished and certainly not impossible with this group!
Congratulations also to Mark Roberts who attended his first Meeting since
qualifying last season.
Val
A Personal view on the Referees Training
Course
I recently participated in the referee's training course being run by Barry and
Val and felt that I must write to congratulate the Society on their excellent
course. Having been involved with Morden Little League Football for
a number of years and having a husband and an older son who are already referees
I decided to go along with younger son to offer a bit of moral support.
I needn't have worried as Barry and Val were superb. Assisted by
various props they helped us to learn and understand the Laws of the Game.
These included a dissected sticky ball that Barry seemed to have
great fun with, Velcro triangles and circles that never seemed to stick where
Barry wanted them to and a material football pitch that Barry had to pick up
from the floor on a number of occasions. We did become slightly
concerned about Barry when he started to bring along a bag of dirty washing (I
think that Mrs. barry might have thrown him out for pinching half a bag of
sugar, also used as a prop) and of course a selection of Val's old boots (and
the less said about them the better). They never seemed to get
frustrated by the silly questions (a lot of them from yours truly) and always
took the time to make sure that every member on the course understood what was
being explained to them. It was a fairly large group, a lot of whom
were quite young but Barry and Val treated everyone as equals, we all had to
endure their terrible jokes!
On the night of the exam we were all understandably nervous and it was
comforting to see Barry on door duty at the exam hall offering words of
encouragement and Val doing her tea lady bit (I understand Barryıs going to be
on tea duty next time). I don't know how everyone else fared but my
son and I passed with flying colours (I even got a kiss from Barry, nearly got a
red card for that as hubby was present at the time). I hope that
everyone else did well.
I shall be recommending the course to all who will listen, it was really, really
good and although I had some knowledge of the laws I certainly learnt a lot.
So thanks Wimbledon for a great course and especially to Barry and Val and the
others who gave their time to help us. I hope we can all do you
proud, for all the time and effort youıve put in thatıs the least you deserve.
Diane Wyatt