Many years ago I was struck down with a diseased spine. One of the results was
that for a year I was unable to take part in any sporting activities, including refereeing. Whilst I was as recovering I took two of my sons to football every Saturday, alternately at Elm Park and the Manor Ground at Oxford.
We were standing on the South Bank on one of those Saturdays when the referee of the match was injured. The senior linesman, as they were called at that time, had to take over the whistle. An appeal was broadcast over the tannoy for a qualified referee to come and run the line. 'I can do that' I said to my
two boys and jumped over the perimeter wall to make my way round to the
stand but I was too late. By the time I had reached the tunnel, Alan Porton, now Business Promotion Manager for the
Evening Post and a qualified referee, had beaten me to the flag.
Today I wouldn't even get the chance no matter how quick I was. All Football League games have a Fourth Official who would either move into the middle or on the line to the senior assistant referee depending on the appointment.
Duties for the fourth official were first introduced in 1994 and covered mainly the role of back-up for the appointed officials. They also had the authority to check the equipment of substitutes before they entered the field of play. Gradually more and more duties have been given to the fourth official including new ones at the start of this season.
In 1995 the words were added 'will assist the referee at all times' without any specifics. The first independent duty appeared in 1996 when the fourth official was instructed to 'submit a report after the match on any misconduct or incident that occurred out of the view of the referee or assistant referees'.
The fourth official's responsibilities were expanded again in 1999 when it was decreed that he had the authority to inform the referee of any irresponsible behaviour by any occupant of the technical area. Only applicable at stadiums, the technical area extends one yard either side of the designated seating area for club officials and substitutes and forward to a distance of one yard from the touch line. Only one person at a time is authorised to convey instructions and must then return immediately to his seat.
And now again at the start of this season, the fourth official has been
given more to do. The earlier rather weak duty 'to assist the referee at all times' has
been extended to say 'He must indicate to the referee when the wrong player is
cautioned because of mistaken identity or where a player is not sent off having
been given a second yel1ow card or when violent conduct occurs out of view of the referee.'
Yet another pair of eyes on the game but I'm surprised that
fourth officials have any time to watch the match. They seem to spend all their time stopping the managers and coaches from parading outside the technical area where they are supposed to remain. At the Madejski Stadium I have even seen the fourth official keeping rival coaches apart
I suppose it's me, but professional footballers get paid vast sums of money so presumably know how to play the
game. They train all week and so why once they get on the field, does the coach still have to stand on the line shouting at them telling them what to do?
Of course players in local football, particularly on Sundays, will have little interest in the duties of the fourth official. They count themselves lucky to get
one official.
Dick Sawdon Smith