Except for rare occurrences when they have a Premier League referee in charge, referees at Reading matches are not full time officials. They all have ‘day’ jobs which are not usually connected with football. This can be quite stressful.…
Month: February 2016
When should a Referee blow for time?
Louis van Gaal has plenty else to worry about, but recently he complained that the referee blew for time too early. ‘We were on a counter attack,’ he said, ‘and he whistles, he did it also in the first…
Posted in From the middle
“To remain in the RA or not to remain in the RA”
Introduction Reading RA Chair, Mike Baker together with Derek Reigate and Tony Smith attended the Cressex Community Centre in Wycombe in January to listen and report back on the debate as to whether or not Reading RA should remain as members…
Posted in Features
Lisa Benn, Berks & Bucks RDO visits Reading RA
Our guest speaker for January was Lisa Benn, the newly appointed Referees’ Development Officer for Berks & Bucks FA. Lisa has been a referee for 10 years and is now a level 4 referee and a Futsal referee. She is…
Posted in Guest speakers
Are shoulder charges still allowed?
Football fans often complain that ‘players can’t use the old fashioned shoulder charge these days’. I’m sure that Manchester United supporters were saying something similar when Wayne Rooney heaved Glen Johnson off the ball as they ran towards the Stoke…
Posted in From the middle
Tiniest margins count in football
One talking point last week was a question of millimetres. This was the disputed touch line decision by the assistant referee at the Manchester City v Everton League Cup semi-final, second leg. Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, claimed the ball was…
Posted in From the middle
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