The football referees who never gets abuse
Jul 30 2008 By Roger Clarke
ONE West Midlands league is finding success comes with their own set of problems as they look for more referees to cope with nine more teams joining their ranks.
Last season saw the FA calling for zero tolerance to stamp out bad language in football as they announced new initiatives and many leagues claimed to be the first to adopt the new measures.
Of course, anyone who had listened would have known the policy is neither new nor particularly revolutionary and has existed for 10 years in the West Midlands Christian Football League.
Foul and abusive language to officials, team-mates, opponents are all treated the same. If the referee hears it, it is a red card.
Most officials will cock a deaf ‘un at muttered expletives to no-one in particular at a missed chance or conceding a sloppy goal but players know the line they tread as soon as they open their mouth.
The league was formed in 1979 from the West Midlands Inter-Church Football League, which had been set up originally to allow Christian men opposed to playing football on the Sabbath to compete in organised football on Saturday mornings.
The reason might well be less clear-cut these days but the league still plays on Saturday morning, which means that as far as refs are concerned, it does not clash with other adult leagues.
Last season they had two divisions of 10 clubs, with referees and assistants officiating at First Division matches, and covered the entire West Midlands from Wolverhampton to Solihull, Halesowen to Selly Oak.
Disciplinary secretary Tony Skelton, who is also a referee, said: “The clubs are all Church affiliated but some are spin offs of other teams who like the way the league is disciplined and run.”
Despite teams having their roots in the church the league has never seen itself as evangelical and welcomes non-Christians.
Skelton, 56, who is an assessor for BCFA and a referee’s mentor and has officiated in the AFA and Sunday leagues, ads: “It is no easier to referee. It is just as competitive but you know you are not going to get abuse hurled at you.
‘‘It is a much more pleasant league to referee in. We also try to get two assistants out on Premier League games, which cuts down arguments.”
It is a move that does not come cheap with £22 for a referee and £16 each for two assistants.
“We have about 30 refs on the books and we are looking for at least another 15,’’ said Skelton.
‘‘Next season we will have three divisions, an 11 and two 10s. We try to help and protect referees and give them some respect.”
With more teams and a larger league the ideals will remain the same: To enable Christian and non-Christian men alike to participate in a capably organised league in a manner, both on and off the field of play, that is morally, decently and ethically sound of action and speech and is honouring to the name of Jesus Christ.
For more details contact referees secretary James Orotayo on 07903 845527, Tony Skelton on 07710 820196 or vivist www.wmcfl.net.
