More for Fans and Players

From the middle   

This is a series of articles published in the Reading Evening Post by Reading RA doyen, Dick Sawdon Smith. 

(For the previous series written by John Moore and Brian Palmer, click here)

Season 2007-2008
15 May 2008 Referees can look ahead with hope
08 May 2008 Referees' course now includes real games
01 May 2008 Did Storey know more than the referee?
24 April 2008 Penalty kick trickery needs clearer definition
17 April 2008 Goal line technology abandoned
10 April 2008 Do we need to have 'dissent' defined?
03 April 2008 Gerrard never knew what hit him
27 March 2008 Gaining an advantage when offside
20 March 2008 What's considered a fair charge?
13 March 2008 Don't blame referees' man-management for bad tackles
06 March 2008 Bad language fuels aggressive behaviour
28 Feb 2008 We all need to look at abuse of referees
21 Feb 2008 Dealing with confrontation
14 Feb 2008 Diving can be fabrication or exaggeration
07 Feb 2008 FUTSAL - the growing indoor football
31 Jan 2008 First phase, second phase, active offside
24 Jan 2008 Must we have hatred on the terraces?
17 Jan 2008 No warning needed about the flying tackle
10 Jan 2008 Why was encroachment at Tottenham not spotted?
20 Dec 2007 Referees manage with secret communications
13 Dec 2007 Are the Laws clear on Gunnardson's penalty?
06 Dec 2007 The final whistle must wait
29 Nov 2007 Will assessors turn referees into clones?
22 Nov 2007 Sanchez Monday morning call falls down on intent
15 Nov 2007 Why do players think they can abuse referees?
08 Nov 2007 The end of metal cup-hooks
01 Nov 2007 International refereeing has come to town
25 Oct 2007 If you lose, blame the referee
18 Oct 2007 Where have all the referees gone?
11 Oct 2007 Brian Barwick's crusade should start at the top
04 Oct 2007 Reading's Liverpool goals were not offside
27 Sept 2007 No tears for José
20 Sept 2007 What not to wear for celebrating
13 Sept 2007 Poll says 'Don't leave it to referee alone'
06 Sept 2007 Kitson tackle illustrated
 


Season 2006-2007

03 May 2007 Offences must be seen to be given
26 April 2007 Who said referees haven't got a heart?
19 April 2007 Referees can't connive to save player's dismissal
12 April 2007 Is 'involuntary' the same as 'deliberate?
05 April 2007 Parents - don't cross the line
29 March 2007 There's only one timekeeper
22 March 2007 Dealing with faked injuries
15 March 2007 Age Discrimination Act helps older referees
08 March 2007 Keeping an eye on Law changes
01 March 2007 Referees shouldn't abandon the Laws for 'common sense'
22 Feb 2007 Keep controversy off the big screen
15 Feb 2007 Can captains help referees?
08 Feb 2007 Impeding should be penalised as obstruction
01 Feb 2007 How to keep coaches apart
25 Jan 2007 Is a football pitch outside the law?
18 Jan 2007 Is offside a mess on the parks?
11 Jan 2007 Are top referees born and not made?
04 Jan 2007 Faster but fewer balls in the Premiership
21 Dec 2006 Handball is more than 'hand to ball'
14 Dec 2006 Only a penalty can extend time
07 Dec 2006 Coaches reap what they have sown
30 Nov 2006 Why can't referees talk to players?
23 Nov 2006 No favours for women referees
16 Nov 2006 Pre-judging or being prepared?
09 Nov 2006 The throw-in survives one more change
02 Nov 2006 When push comes to shove, it's more than hands
26 Oct 2006 Goalkeeping is allowed to be dangerous
19 Oct 2006 One-piece suits are out, but wedding rings are in
12 Oct 2006 Graham Poll's error was a slip of the pen
05 Oct 2006 The tale of Hahnemann's shirt
28 Sept 2006 Memories of Compton before Theo Walcott
21 Sept 2006 Last minute specials upset World Cup preparation
14 Sept 2006 Attempt is not the same as intent
07 Sept 2006 Diving clampdown that didn't happen
 

 

Season 2005-2006

04 May 2006 Law book that changed the world of football

27 April 2006 Is it 'in the spirit' to stop the game?
20 April 2006 Still room for more women referees
13 April 2006 Fair play and winning can go together
06 April 2006 Blue card for the sin-bin


30 March 2006 Referees don't play the compensation game
23 March 2006 Technology gives referees eyes in the back of their head
16 March 2006 Illogical free kicks against substitutes
09 March 2006 Abuse referees and you will lose them
02 March 2006 How would you describe a fair charge?

23 February 2006 Should tackles be subject to duty of care
16 February 2006 Simulating injury has wider implications
09 February 2006 It's still offside although the flag may appear late
02 February 2006 No more barefoot in the park

26 January 2006 Managers fail in their lessons
19 January 2006 Time running out for crossbar cup-hooks
12 January 2006 The last man doesn't exist

22 December 2005 Who watches referees?
15 December 2005 Making best use of assistant referees
08 December 2005 The challenge is recognising foul from fair
01 December 2005 Sponsorship for referees is closely controlled

24 November 2005 Dissent - it's the way that you do it
17 November 2005 Another ten-yard experiment
10 November 2005 Less writing means more fines from cautions
03 November 2005 A more logical suggestion for the feet at a throw-in

27 October 2005 The mystery after Pires' blunder
20 October 2005 A new definition of 'being in an offside position'
13 October 2005 My referees' dressing-room dream comes true
06 October 2005 When should the goalkeeper go?

29 Sept 2005 Penalty kick law can confuse
22 Sept 2005 Bad press for bladed boots
15 Sept 2005 Players must now stand clear at  throw-ins
08 Sept 2005 Life and the offside law were so much easier in Watson's day

Season 2004-2005
05 May 2005 Shins need protecting - even for Summer Sixes
28 Apr 2005 The referee should be 'The Man in Black'
21 Apr 2005 The Laws have been changing for 120 years
14 Apr 2005 Players need referee's permission to return
07 Apr 2005 Blocking is impeding - whatever players think
31 Mar 2005 Will vetting turn some referees away?
24 Mar 2005 Fans rage too much against referees' decisions
17 Mar 2005 A cure for the abuse of managers
10 Mar 2005 Stopwatch allows for time lost
03 Mar 2005 Intricate rules for penalty deciders
24 Feb 2005 A game of two complete halves and an interval
17 Feb 2005 Does a referee need tunnel vision? 
10 Feb 2005 Not in front of the children
03 Feb 2005 Can Players' Union stop the diving?
27 Jan 2005 No place for Bling in football
20 Jan 2005 You've given us nothing ref
13 Jan 2005 Will referees get electronic line judges?
05 Jan 2005 Offside research is not on the ball
31 Dec 2004 Calling to deceive is cheating
22 Dec 2004 Quick free-kicking Henry does it again
15 Dec 2004 Should we adopt silence from the touchlines?
08 Dec 2004 Attempts to foul can also be penalised
01 Dec 2004 Choice of goals is no toss-up
24 Nov 2004 Is offside too hard for television commentators?
17 Nov 2004 Let referees decide when to stop play 
10 Nov 2004 Being dropped into trouble
03 Nov 2004 The referee is always the fall guy
27 Oct 2004 Goalkeeper sees red over illegal handball
20 Oct 2004 Today's corner tactics lost on yesterday's players
13 Oct 2004 Penalty is goal-scoring opportunity say coaches
06 Oct 2004 Chiles should learn the Laws - not the rules
29 Sept 2004  Blades or studs - just make sure they're safe
22 Sept 2004 A better explanation for a change of mind
15 Sept 2004 It pays not to get shirty
08 Sept 2004 Confusion over friendly substitutes
01 Sept 2004 The goal that never was - never
Season 2003-2004
05 May 2004 Will the artificial grass be greener?
28 Apr 2004 Common sense can't change the law
21 Apr 2004 Nearness to play means better decisions
14 Apr 2004 How referees make it to the top
07 Apr 2004 Young players should enjoy football
31 Mar 2004 The bare facts of violent conduct
24 Mar 2004 Players' extra equipment must be safe
17 Mar 2004 McCoist's given me a new belief in TV pundits
10 Mar 2004 Who watches the penalty-taker?
03 Mar 2004 Have we become immune to cheating?
25 Feb 2004 Only penalties can hold up final whistle
18 Feb 2004 How referees cope with abuse
11 Feb 2004 Restarts should not wait for the offenders
04 Feb 2004 If there's no gain, there's no offside
28 Jan 2004 Name-calling can make things clearer
21 Jan 2004 Bright future for women referees
14 Jan 2004 When innocuous and clumsy can become cautionable
07 Jan 2004 Research pays off for top referees
31 Dec 2003 Referee's authority covers substitutes on the line
24 Dec 2003 When can a referee change his mind?
17 Dec 2003 What happens when matters come to a head?
10 Dec 2003 Referees are clamping down on injury time
03 Dec 2003 10-yard rule is right way to reduce dissent
26 Nov 2003 Bad language is a curse on our game
19 Nov 2003 Assistant referees are part of a team
12 Nov 2003 Would no sendings-off improve spectators' enjoyment?
05 Nov 2003 A change to decisions at the toss of a coin
22 Oct 2003 How much should a referee tell?
20 Oct 2003 Things have changed since Reading's first game
15 Oct 2003 Don't believe everything you hear on TV
08 Oct 2003 Nothing professional about denying a goal
01 Oct 2003 Substitute quiz at Madejski gallery
24 Sept 2003 Referees' Big Brother Assessors
17 Sept 2003 Refs get tough at penalties
10 Sept 2003 Unwelcome task for fourth officials
03 Sept 2003 Friendlies don't always turn out that way
Season 2002-2003
30 April 2003 Seventy five years of referee training
23 April 2003 When fourth officials take the middle
16 Apr 2003 Quick free kicks are within the spirit of the laws
09 Apr 2003 A close eye must be kept on substitutions
02 Apr 2003 A little psychology helps the referee to stay calm
26 Mar 2003 What kind of football do spectators want?
19 Mar 2003 Spitting is not the right image for football
12 Mar 2003 Cautions can sometimes wait
05 Mar 2003 Referees and clubs have different agendas
26 Feb 2003 Referees can't retract decisions for wasted advantage
19 Feb 2003 A foul needs to be serious for sending off
12 Feb 2003 Impeding an opponent can be legitimate
05 Feb 2003 Referees can't worry about cost of decisions
29 Jan 2003 70 years of awards for worst job in local football
22 Jan 2003 Safety on the field is referee's main responsibility
15 Jan 2003 Handball is not always what it seems
08 Jan 2003 Removing the annoyance of encroachment
02 Jan 2003 Referees have human rights too
18 Dec 2002 Conspiracy theories are attempts to shift the blame
11 Dec 2002 A caution is a punishment not a booking
04 Dec 2002 Should the lad Harper have gone for handball?
27 Nov 2002 Incentive scheme will help bring back refs
20 Nov 2002 A different ball game since Jeff Astle played
13 Nov 2002 Electronic ref is not here yet
06 Nov 2002 Adam Crozier has been good for referees
30 Oct 2002 Goalposts must be up to the mark
23 Oct 2002 Pro-footballers to mind their language
16 Oct 2002 You can't throw it away with a throw-in
09 Oct 2002 Lessons from a sporting television summer
02 Oct 2002 Don't believe all you hear on television
25 Sept 2002 Is this the correct treatment for the injured?
18 Sept 2002 The International Board gets shirty
11 Sept 2002 Hands-on refereeing can sometimes work
04 Sept 2002 World Cup recollections
   
   
Season 2001-2002
24 Apr 2002 Jobs for redundant pros - as referees 
17 Apr 2002 Abuse is the big turn-off
12 Apr 2002 What would we like to see at the World Cup?
04 Apr 2002 Is it offensive if football imitates life?
27 Mar 2002 Seven is the magic number
20 Mar 2002 Footballs galore
13 Mar 2002 Lining is not an easy option
06 Mar 2002 Stick to laws of the game, not laws of the court
27 Feb 2002 Throw in should be free from distraction
20 Feb 2002 How red and yellow cards started
13 Feb 2002 Countdown to six seconds
06 Feb 2002 Referees must be spot-on at penalties
30 Jan 2002 Are professional referees to blame?
23 Jan 2002 The name changes but the Law remains the same
16 Jan 2002 Parents should give young refs a break
09 Jan 2002 It's easy to referee on television
02 Jan 2002 Managers should support referees over diving
19 Dec 2001 Safety first for referees
12 Dec 2001 No demotion for top referees
05 Dec 2001 Ten-yard forward march stops at penalty area
28 Nov 2001 Why diving has increased
21 Nov 2001 Barthez does it again
14 Nov 2001 Keepers may deserve the benefit of the doubt
07 Nov 2001 Refs have stopped getting shirty with scorers
31 Oct 2001 Is it time to give blades the boot?
24 Oct 2001 Late flag shows assistant is on the ball
17 Oct 2001 Timekeeping is the referee's job
10 Oct 2001 Women's football will need more women referees
03 Oct 2001 It's not the yellow card that slows play down
26 Sept 2001 Down in the dug-out something stirred
19 Sept 2001 Little change to the laws for once
12 Sept 2001 Should a referee whistle?
05 Sept 2001 Refereeing revolution starts now 
   
   
Season 2000-2001
02 May 2001 Why do we do it?
25 April 2001 Recognition for Fair Play
18 Apr 2001 Get out of the way Ref!
11 Apr 2001 Sanchez still has his moment of fame with Reading
04 Apr 2001 How should we view football's video nasties?
28 Mar 2001 Goalkeepers' handling can be an offence
21 Mar 2001 Nets make goal judgment easier
14 Mar 2001 Football shirts are for wearing not pulling
07 Mar 2001 Tackles must be clean
28 Feb 2001 Phases of play help offside decisions
21 Feb 2001 Who said it's a man's game?
14 Feb 2001 Do We Need to Tolerate Offensive Language?
07 Feb 2001 Always Play to the Whistle
31 Jan 2001 The Ten-yard Experiment
24 Jan 2001 Diving is Cheating - Whatever name you call it
17 Jan 2001 Time the FA used its Loaf
10 Jan 2001 The referee is always right
03 Jan 2001 PMT - Pre-match tension
20 Dec 2000

Better a late flag and get it right
13 Dec 2000 A little sportsmanship gone wrong
06 Dec 2000 Fiery players need protection as well
29 Nov 2000 Attempting is as bad as succeeding
22 Nov 2000 Wired for sound
15 Nov 2000 Putting up with barracking
08 Nov 2000 More duties for the Fourth Official
01 Nov 2000 Should age matter?
25 Oct 2000 Let's make the most of assistant refs
18 Oct 2000 Beware of parents
11 Oct 2000 Handball at the Olympics
04 Oct 2000 Beware dangerous equipment
27 Sept 2000 Making kicks more even
20 Sept 2000

Retaliation is no excuse
13 Sept 2000 Refs come from All Walks of Life
06 Sept 2000 Six Seconds Countdown
31 Aug 2000 A Cautionary Tale from Euro 2000

Back to top

 

© 2002  Reading Referees’ Association