Stockport Referee Society Official Website

Refs, There are quite a few things scheduled for March – which I’ll come to in a minute.

Last Thursday’s Refs meeting (9th February) was quite different – firstly - our guest for the night John Hilditch phoned me in the afternoon, unfortunately he was unable to attend as he’d knackered his knee. We also had Ian Davies coming with a load of RA supplies – because of the very cold weather and the number of traffic accidents, Ian also had to call off.

So I got hold of Trev Massey who was doing a presentation in Nottingham, and Mass very kindly agrred to “fill in” – and he did triffic – as arry would say!!!

Trev did something unusual – as well as a series of video incidents on goal “scoring oportunities” - Trev asks the Refs to go through 20 basic questions on the Laws of the Game – and not everyone got 20 out of 20 – some present only managed to get 15 right. It just shows that Referees’ need to keep revising and re-reading the laws of the game –a little task for you – once a week – promise yourself that you will re-read and fully understand one of the 17 laws!!!

Here’s a question for you then on the laws of the game – What is forbidden on the field of play, goal nets, and the areas they enclose, the goals, flagposts, and their flags during playing time? Give in? Have a look at Law 1.

Going back to what’s happening during March – there won’t be a Referees’ meeting as such – but we are all getting together at Woodley FC on Thursday 8th for Assistant Referee Training – this is were some of the newly qualified refs will be asked to do Assistant Referee duties during a live game. If you are interested in taking part in this live training please let me know by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Monday 19th March – kickoff 7pm - the FA will be holding a Referees’ “In-Service” Training session at the Britannia Hotel in Stockport – please see Trev Massey’s email addressed to all Cheshire Refs on that event. Trev needs a reply if you wish to attend!!

Here’s another date for your diary – Thursday 29th March – Cheshire RA are holding their annual “RA Quiz” This quiz is generally something that the Stockpoort Refs normally win – when the questions were based on football and sport, we always walked away with the trophy – but the organisers have got wise, and now some of the questions are on other things like – films - the colour Red – famous dogs – dingbats etc etc!! As a result of that slight change – to put it mildly we have got stuffed!! We always win the raffle prizes as well!! We have a good night out – its held at Northwich, and the plan is to take 3 Teams of 4 in 3 separate cars!! So if you are interested in a bit of fun – a good buffet – and bringing home the trophies, then please let me know!!

Many thanks for listening

Bob Hurren

The kits the Match Officials will be wearing in Poland and Ukraine for this summers European Championship have been revealed.  Once again the kits will be supplied by Adidas, who if you listen to rumours may also be the new supplier for the Premier League. Anyway back to theme and the new referee and match officials kits will be available in Black, Blue, Grey & fluorescent yellow they also look to be a bit skin tight so a few of the more rounder refs better hit the gym before June.

Bob’s ramble update please

On Monday 16th January the RA and FA held a joint meeting at Runcorn – HAVE YOUR SAY @ THE FA – very good it was as well – the first part of the meeting was a presentation by ANDRE MARINER – the Premier League Referee, that was excellent. At half time I had a chat with Andre and asked if he’d come along to Stockport for one of our future meetings – he said he would. I think Mass had already collared him as well – Andre is a Brummie, but we can forgive him for that!!

There were 96 people present, refs, mentors, tutors and assessors, from all the Cheshire Society’s - a big contingent from Stockport - the second part of the evening was an open debate on “Have Your Say”  - this was were the FA’s Ian Blanchard were seeking views from Referees. If you want to know more, please go to the FA website and then on to HAVE YOUR SAY @ THE FA – there is survey box to click onto –the FA would like you to complete the survey, you’ll need to input your FA number into the box at the top right of the page!!

Also the RA had a large supplies stall set up – heaps of stuff – which seemed to be getting sold. I only had a shilling on me otherwise I would have bought something!!

Another good event organised by your mate Trevor Massey.

I’m away on holiday in Scotland from 20th to 28th January – if there’s anything you need please contact any of the Stockport Refs Committee

Refs – this coming Thursday 12th January is Stockport Referees’ next monthly meeting – usual venue at County kick-off 7.45 – Trev Massey is doing one of his specials – which will be well worth getting involved with!!

Also there will be much footie talk and banter – no doubt the Reds and Blues of Manchester may get a mention, we don’t want any snott and fur flying though – it is after all only a game of football Mr Treasurer!!! Some of you may have noticed that the Boro are already through to the next round!!

There’ll be a good raffle and the normal chip butties at the end of the night! Get yourselfs along it will be a canny night!!

As you will know Mally Gammond our Vice-Chairman died on 23rd December and a lot of the Refs attended Mally’s funeral last Friday – strange thing to say, but it was probably one of the best funeral’s I’ve ever attended!

Lesley Gammond, Mal’s wife has asked that any donations are sent to the Bobby Moore Unit at Stepping Hill – so the Committee has agreed that at Thursday’s meeting we are going to have a “bucket collection” – and any monies raised will go to the Bobby Moore Unit – Folding Money if you can lads please!!

Many thanks

Bob Hurren

 
Malc's funeral is being held on Friday 6th Jan, 3.15pm at Stockport Crematorium (Rowan Chapel)
A reception will be held at the Alma Lodge afterwards and you are invited by the Gammonds to attend.

 
Leslie Gammond has asked for family flowers only, any donations will be collected by the Society and via the family will go to the Bobby Moore Unit at Stepping Hill