OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

CASTLEFORD LOCK LANE V EGREMONT MY FIRST EXPERIENCE OF NCL RUGBY LEAGUE

It may have occurred in a work situation, relationship, something you have been asked to or become involved in that has left you feeling really uncomfortable and out of your comfort zone we have all been there and of course would prefer the guarantee of knowing exactly what we are doing.  Of course in the terms of sport that applies as it may be a new sport in both playing or watching terms you may even have decided to take up officiating in the sport you have played for ages but there is one definite feeling you will have that you are out of your comfort zone until you get used to your new role.

READY AT THE FINISH OF THE WOMENS AVIVA TOUR HOURS BEFORE THE CROSSING OF THE LINE

So it would turn out to be after following a couple of sports over my early years I guess the comfort zone for me was cricket and football with the latter few years taking on the larger of the two balls.  After watching football through league and gradually moving towards the excellent world of non-league the opportunity arose to contribute a regular blog from the 'travels' around the winter months.  But what to do in the summer and if information on non league football cubs and their grounds could be written then why not other sports, something that many of these clubs found obscure too but have generously embraced.  The first opportunity arose at a game at Teversal FC when in conversation with a supporter who was visiting from Rotherham introduced me too Rugby League at The National Conference level, very much a non-league form of the game.  Having been directed towards the excellent weekly Rugby League Express I came across some names I thought I recognised including Wath Brow Hornets.  With a fair local knowledge I decided Wath being near Doncaster would give me an option of sampling a game, only after some more research did I find that this Wath was in fact in Cumbria.  The base for the The NCL is very much Cumbria, Lancashire, Humberside and of course Yorkshire with a few clubs coming in around the 'north east' to add to the flavour of the league.

YELLOW JERSEY AND A NICE BUNCH OF FLOWERS FOR YORKSHIRES OWN LIZZIE ARMITSTEAD

First trip would be to the famous town of Castleford just under four years ago but not to the jungle for the Tigers Super League variety but Castleford Lock Lane just a short conversion away.  As with all these level of clubs there is very much a community feel with a bar, function room being the order of the day and alongside a nominal entrance fee, around £3, a match programme was also produced so there was already a comfort zone for the football fan with some paperwork.  We would be ready to experience eighty minutes of 'football' and let the learning begin because my previous experience had been with the delightful Mansfield Marksman named after the famous town breweries lager.  The club started at Field Mill drifted over to Alfreton and finally collapsed after spending a few years constantly struggling but it was the Rugby League's attempt to expand the game beyond its boundaries.  Since my interest in The NCL it has helped me expand an interest in the professional game thanks to games at Sheffield Eagles, Batley Bulldogs, Dewsbury Rams and with the National Conference interest travels far and wide to Leigh Miners Rangers in Lancashire, West Hull over on the east side of the country and around the heartlands Normanton Knights names just a few of the ever growing collection of clubs I have had the privilege to visit.  Alongside this Derby Rugby League side and the sides around the Midland League have been observed but overall this is just an excellent sport that I have fully enjoyed discovering and one which initially I was well out of my comfort zone and know I'm just very slightly less out of.

PUDSEY ST LWARENCE CRICKET CLUB TYPICAL CRICKET WEATHER ITS THREATENING RAIN AND YOU NEED YOUR WOOLY HAT ON TOO.

While this blog takes no preference in format the pictures are a wide scattering so you may have to scroll through to view the relevant ones but the one above sums up the next sport.  Cricket had been something that had interested me from an early age and probably in my mid teens was my preferred sport with a junior membership at Derbyshire before the county disenfranchised its Chesterfield based supporters by taking games away from Queens Park.  I would return years later to Derby as would the game to Chesterfield but in the interim I was fortunate enough to take in games at Trent Bridge and Grace Road for the counties of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire respectively.  Its a wonderful game that sees you reading your newspaper, eating most of your packed lunch box before lunch, taking to a wide selection of people and then doing the same again in the afternoon only by around mid afternoon to realise there are a load of blokes out there playing a funny game with a small but hard ball dressed in shirts and trousers.  Seriously it is once again a great game often played in the most inclement of weather which is somewhat typical of England.  So a couple of years ago I set off to start the search for local league sides and what an eye opener it was.

ANY EXCUSE TO FEATURE KEIGHLEY COUGARS RUGBY LEAGUE GROUND

I have tried not to re use too many pictures from the ones I have re featured over this last few months of drought but most regular readers will know my love for The Huddersfield Cricket League and its superb clubs which became easily accessible for me off the Sheffield to Huddersfield train line.  But along the way The Derbyshire League, Nottinghamshire League, South Yorkshire Premier, Leicestershire and West Midlands have again allowed some wonderful days out at a community sport alongside some semi final and finals to add to the enjoyment of this all so English game.  I cannot leave of course by not mentioning my 'local' favourite Morton Colliery Cricket Club who have supplied many a Saturday and Sunday afternoon of entertainment at this friendly and homely club on Pit Lane and one I have become fondly attached too.

KIMBERLEY INSTITE CRICKET CLUB ON AN ALL TOO FAMILIAR BANK HOLIDAY DAY AT THIS UNIQUE GROUND

Probably the biggest leap out of the relaxed zone both sportingly and socially was a trip to Chester and its racecourse in the summer of 2018 where The Rodee which would feature a two day polo gathering.  With the first day on a Friday offering free admission for me and the chance to qualify for the finals for the four teams it was an ideal opportunity to sample a sport I knew very little about, except for the odd thirty second news item of Prince Charles on a horse with a mallet it was time to do the research.  The day was a fairly early start but it was fine and apart from a little rain near the end of proceedings I joined the three Maserati cars, total value 1/4 of a million pounds, social elite enjoying their hospitality meals and a fair sampling of champers all pitch side with the teams, ponies and the crew looking after them.  It was a well organised event but with the team names featuring Laurent Perrier and premier bankers Arbuthnot Latham, more worryingly here is I actually apart from one letter spelt both of those two companies correctly, you could sense the echelon of society you were being allowed to mix with.  The polo itself was very enjoyable and although the pitch was massive meaning you had to strain to see what was happening at the extreme ends of the field it didn't seem to bother most who were just straining for their next flute of liquid.  There was much mocking of my visiting this event but of course if you haven't sampled it you really don't know what its like hopefully the blog on the day provided an example it is certainly a sport I would attend again if a little more closer to base.

JOLLY HOCKEY STICKS EXCEPT ITS POLO AS THE LAURENT PERRIER TEAM MEET THEIR SPONSORS

Around four years ago the chance to see champion women's cyclist Lizzie Armitstead from that great county of Yorkshire, so all Yorkies tell me anyway, turned out to be another new sport opportunity as the Women's Aviva race came to Chesterfield.  Having arrived about two hours before the finish line would be crossed to take up a position close by and within photographic distance of the podium I waited as a running commentary of where the riders had made it to along route was played out.  There was time, plenty of it, to spot Lizzies grandma and granddad who proudly wore T-shirts telling you they were just that, Ned Boulting commentator and local YTV Journo whose name now escapes me.  Increasingly hemmed in by metal barriers the great peak town public arrived to view the spectacle as the tension rose, whoosh that was it they were through the line and I found it somewhat an anti climax.  However I was in excellent position to get all the riders as they were given their awards for varying sections of the race they had achieved them in including of course Lizzie and her yellow jersey with obligatory bunch of flowers.  This was a different experience and I think unless you are able to drive around the route the place to be is the finish but its a long wait, would I do it again probably not unless the finish line was on my driveway I will stick to watching it on TV if there is nothing else on.

V DOCS TEAM PHOTO BEFORE FEATURING JAMES FIELDING ON THE RIGHT

 

MATCH ACTION FROM LAURENT PERRIER AND V DOCS

Rugby Union or Rugby League there in lies the question the former seems to get all the coverage from media that it desires while the latter struggles probably due to it being generally more of a regionalised sport at its top level.  I have to say I find Union harder to follow and a slower game and to that effect have never watched any game live at the top.  Although I'm very lucky to have a superb community club in Tupton and alongside playing on the local recreation ground they have developed a site that has allowed me to take in a couple of games with a desire to learn more.

BIT MORE POLO ITS NOT EVERYDAY YOU GET TO SEE A PICTURE OF THE SPORT OF KINGS

Rugby has a solid base in the village with a wonderful club house and of course bar with a fine selection of changing rooms and a kitchen offering some wonderful match day food.  All this was achievable with the hard work of the club officials and an excellent grant from and facilitated by The RFU who always seem more ahead of the game than The FA.  Its a tough old code and seems to be played in some horrendous weather at times and so has been a fall back for me on a few occasions, consequently its a game I need to learn more about and finds me quite a way out of my zone of comfort probably only just below polo.

AN IRREVERENT SPORT SETTEE PULLING OR PUSHING WITH AMY AND HARRY TO THE FRONT WITH KEELEY AND PAUL BEHIND

Cheekily I decided to include The Settee Push around Yorkshire and Derbyshire and carried out by the BBC local news presenters from Look North all this was in aid of sport relief so I think its fair to include it.  Amy Garcia and long term front man and BBC sports reporter Harry Gration where joined by weather presenters Paul Hudson and Keeley Donovan pulling the studio settee around various steep inclines non more so that leaving Chesterfield and climbing Crow Lane to Brimington.  Followed by local radio reporters, journos and this blogger there was an opportunity to get some excellent pictures including when the team were ambushed by local based comedian Bernie Clifton and Oswald his quite literally 'walk on' Ostrich.

AMBUSH IN BRIMINGTON AS BERNIE CLIFTON AND OSWALD CAPTURE THE LOOK NORTH TEAM

It was a smashing little morning spent with the 'TV stars' who were warmly welcomed to the town and followed along the route by many to add encouragement to what was a wonderful achievement over the proceeding and following days.

SHIPLEY HALL CRICKET CLUB IN A WONDERFUL SETTING SUMS UP CRICKET FOR A 20/20 FINALS DAY

Probably around the start of sampling new sports the art of Basketball would feature and the first chance to see a game was presented by Sheffield Sharks who at the time were playing at Sheffield Arena in front of some large crowds.  With a whipped up atmosphere and music encouraging not only the players but the crowd it made for a very interesting live sport.  Over time but less so recently I have taken in quite a few games at their new base EIS in the city and although now watched by smaller crowds it is a very interesting 'time out', see what I did there.  Alongside the Sharks I dropped down a level to take a look at Derby Trailblazers a couple of years ago.

THATS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT 20/20 ACTION WITH THE PINK BALL

 Their fixtures fitted in with Saturday afternoon football games locally and also on occasions Sunday afternoons so it was a chance to sample the sport at another level and thoroughly enjoyed in the suburbs of Derby at The Clarence Wiggins Centre.

THE VIEWS THIS TIME A DERBYSHIRE LEAGUE FINAL AT STAINSBY HALL

A sport I have only watched live one is ice hockey and that was while on holiday in Edinburgh and the cities side Murrayfield Racers were at home at the ice arena adjacent to Murrayfield rugby stadium.  Its certainly a sport that warns you to go wrapped up and fail to do so at your own peril because with all that ice about it can be a bit chilly.  It was way before blog days so its a sport that I have not been able to cover all the more annoying when you consider close by in Sheffield we have the wonderful Steelers plying their trade at The Arena.  The timings never quite fit in for me but it is a sport I would love to reacquaint myself with but will probably be another learning curve apart from the scrapping I will have to get the rule book out.

THE REVERSE VIEW ALSO AT STAINSBY WITH WATCHING CROWD ON A SUNNY CRICKET DAY

Talking of scrapping Aussie Rules Football is there a more physical sport played I'm probably yet to find it.  After Channel 4 covered the down under game for a period of time probably in the last century it became a must watch on I believe a Saturday morning and a sport that would definitely rank out of my comfort zone.  Again I had an excellent chance with Mr Trevor Kaye to attend a slightly amended format of the game at the home of Sheffield Tigers Rugby Union club where a round robin of four sides would meet in what if I remember rightly was a mini league of eight sides. 

STANNINGLEY RLFC A FINE PROPONENT OF THE GAME WITH A WONDERFUL GROUND CLOSE ENOUGH TO AN EXCELLENT CHIPY IN FARSLEY TOO

The days matches were played with smaller sides with teams meeting up from Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham and I seem to recall Middlesbrough.  This was too early to be blogged but gave a more nuanced look at the Australian game this time played on a rugby pitch but it certainly gave you a feel for the sport non more so than the influx of visiting aussies who delighted in taking on the rookie brits trying to learn the game.  The day was well remembered with camera in hand to capture proceedings I'm told afterwards by Trevor that in a crowd of about twenty I somehow managed missed Olympic champion Jessica Ennis who was in attendance for a short period of time.

THE HIDDEN GEM THAT IS THORNCLIFFE CRICKET CLUB SLAP BANG IN THE CENTRE OF THE BUSY CHAPELTOWN IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

I've never been into motor anything really never mind motorbikes but around twenty years ago I discovered speedway and I'm still not sure why.  But with Sheffield Tigers riding at the much respected Owlerton Stadium, which had also been home to Eagles rugby league and Sheffield FC, there was a chance to take in the sights, sounds and moreover smells of a fantastic family sport.

UNDERBANK RANGERS ABOUT TO GO OVER AT A GAME PLAYED DURING A SMALL GROUND SHARE WITH HUDDERSFIELD RUFC ON FRONT OF THE STUNNINNG LOCKWOOD VIADUCT

The back straight was always the preferred viewing point and when after a little period of the first meeting the scoring had been confirmed with myself we were underway to enjoy over the following years some excellent races.  Sadly on a not too regular basis like the cricket you have to be sure of the weather otherwise the track becomes dangerous and not able to race plus with the stadium being on the wrong side of Sheffield for me it makes public transport a non starter for an evening meeting.  Thankfully there have still been some attendances but the saddest part now as crowds fall to the dedicated the back straight is closed to viewing lessening the overall experience.

UNDERBANK RANGERS AT THEIR HOME GROUND ANOTHER UNIQUE LOCATION HIGH ON THE HILLS ABOVE HOLMFIRTH THIS PITCH UNDUALTES EVERY WHICH WAY BUT IS A WONDERFUL VISIT

Wythenshaw Amateurs led to speedway and probably one of my favourite but sad visits to the now recently extinct Stoke Potters.  Having popped along to the suburbs of Stockport to take in Wytheshaw Amateurs first game in The NWCFL and a new ground too I had a surprise meeting with fellow town hopper Pete who kindly offered me a lift back via Stoke and with a 10pm plus return potentially.  There was a method in this though as he knew I loved my sport and the lift would be ok provided I dropped in to watch Stoke Potters Speedway meeting at Loomer Road to the north of the city.  Of course he knew my addiction and I couldn't reject this offer.  The only down side was the forecasted downpours would curtail the meeting but after Pete had gone in I waited before parting with my £15.  It rained for nearly all of the meeting and as soon as heat ten was completed it was conveniently abandoned at the point of no refund.  I wasn't bothered at this stage I would probably have paid the money just too look around the stadium, the saddest part is I will not get to see another meeting there and I believe the house builders are moving in shortly.  It is though a credit to the hardened band of supporters kitted out in their memorabilia and corporate race jackets along side the fortitude of promoter Dave Tattum they, the Potters, survived so long.  If you get chance I would invite you to take a look at the blog, August 2018, and a trip back in time to this very run nostalgic stadium.  But it was nostalgia that sports fans would pay to retain.  A stadium, bar and facilities that proudly declared a love for wood panelling and crush velvet seating even found Pete, I seem to remember, telling me that one of the cobwebs in the gents had been there un disturbed for the last few years.  Its a sport that still has an enthusiastic memorabilia and collectors market and Stokes bar had a massive collection of badges, programmes and clothing the biggest shame know looking back was I did not start my collection there.  But this is the things that dreams are and were made of in the Potters more glory filled days.  On my visit though it was the dedicated followers of the much troubled Potters and likewise Coventry Bees the former seeing the last days out.

WHY WE LOVE SPORTING STADIA LOOMER ROAD HOME OF STOKE POTTERS IN ALL ITS GLORY

Many a discussion has been had about certain sports not being a sport, snooker, darts you name them but is it just a case that we don't know too much about the game, match or fixture and we are just too far out of our comfort zone.

FISH AND CHIPS......ITS ALL FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES

ITS ALL FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES
FISH AND CHIPS

LETS START WITH A BIG FISH AT SURPRISINGLY THE BIG FISH IN OLLERTON



Everybody knows this blog is made up of many constituent parts from the game, travel, the characters encountered, a selection of pictures and of course last but definitely not least the food.  More often than not the attempt to sample some decent fish and chips has been to the fore over the proceeding seasons.

WILLIAM WALTON FISH AND CHIPS IN ANSTEY CAME WELL RECOMMENDED AND DIDNT DISAPPOINT



All shapes and sizes can nicely sum up not only the food but the emporiums serving up the delicacy from traditional Yorkshire fisheries to town centre flashy outlets too often though some establishments have expanded into a wide selection of other foods from pizzas to kebabs and often these are the ones that have not quite hit the spot.  So over the more recent times I have become more demanding a quick review of the target chippy before match day is often followed up with a 'do I fancy it' viewing and of course if all else fails its the local Coop for some pastries, chocolate and bottle of carbonated.  Of course that often leads to ground food sampling and the staple diet of chip pea cob, or is that bap, balm, batch, roll, bread cake etc with that debate often showing where you are from it will quite literally roll on.

THE FISH BITS AT BENTLEY WITH A NICE SIZED FISH



With the shops coming in many different shapes and sizes the experience is often added to by their owners and staff who much like the traditional butcher are characters who offer a thought on life while you wait and if your are a local even enquire about Ethel's well being.  Many of the chippys I have visited have had an amazing connection to my own location in Long Buckby the owner knew the proprietor of my own village chippy and last season in Kings Norton my Derbyshire accent was picked out by The Cod Pot owner who had come from Long Eaton in the same county to set up his excellent take away.

HOPPYS OFF THE HOOK ADJACENT TO CASTLEFORD STATION WITH CHIPS, FISH AND MUSHY PEA FRITTER WELL RECOMMENDED



Fish and chips are nearly always the order of the day but on a day were something less is fancied or I'm not quite sure a fish cake is selected for research and their in enters the fish cake of Yorkshire variety battered with two slices of potato surrounding a slither of fish or the more general bread crumbed variety but make sure you order the correct one.

PRE MATCH TO COLLINGHAM BENTLEYS IN NEWARK WHICH WAS STRANGELY VISITED FOR THE VISIT OF BENTLEY AT COLLINGHAM AND A WEEK AFTER VISITING BENTLEY ALSO SO THERE WAS A REAL THEME GOING ON



Much as the buildings and food come in a variety of forms so does the packaging from the polystyrene trays to the new elongated cardboard box offerings and there are even some still serving up their delights in greaseproof lined newspapers so you can catch up with last weeks news.  Eating utensils have advanced from the small wooden twin pronged fork to larger plastic offerings and now the large eco friendly wooden forks.

GRIMSBY FISHERIES IN KNIGHTON LEICESTER IS ONE OF THE LARGER EMPORIUMS WITH A GOOD MEAL SUPPLIED BEFORE HEADING TO WATCH RATHER APPROPRIATELY FRIAR LANE OLD BOYS



The selection of fish from cod to haddock as widened recently with sometimes the cheaper option of Pollock offering a more cost effective price for some.  Some fish and chips are cooked in a variety of oils and fats with a lot of the Yorkshire shops cooking in dripping and this I guess gives the food a darker look.   

UNI CHIPPY IN HANLEY ALWAYS A GOOD OPTION CLOSE BY THE STATION 

Fish and chip shops are of course country wide and we often feel that up north and to that end the midlands we are more proficient with the production of said delicacy.  Overall this would appear to correct and although there are obviously good ones down south my experience is that its better up north.  Having sampled a well regarded one in Harpenden and although ok it would not have worried the top of the table showing of the northern big hitters.

KIRKSTALL FISHERIES ON A VISIT TO MILFORD MARLINS SHOWS THE MORE TRADITIONAL LOOK

How to review these chippys was a challenge do I show the gut busting portion sizes, the smaller more adequate measures the large shops with a variety of options on offer or the smaller back street outlets serving their local community often with a nice set of pavement weeds on view.  Hopefully herein there is an example of all varieties.

ARMSTRONGS ON A VISIT TO PRESTWICH HEYS CAME WITH GOOD REVIEWS AND THEY WERE RIGHT



Chip shop names are another piece of literal work and I'm sure have amused many of you on your travels locally in South Normanton we have the excellent, both in food and name, The Frying Squad which plays to my Sweeney watching days of the 1970s.  In Castleford the fantastic Hoppy's Of The Hook is a long title but it plays on the owners name and part of the fisherman's kit. 

SELBY TOWN FC ALLOWED FOR A FURTHER BIT OF RESEARCH AT THE AWARD WINNING MR C'S

We have nearly arrived at the end and although not a fan of the many extra items that fish shops entertain to I guess encourage more visitors and more variety to seek out re-visits kebabs, pizza, deep fried mars bars etc.  It would be remiss of me to forget a wide selection of local and of course national pies offered by many and then there is batter bits.  Often confined to the dustbin of history who doesn't accept the offer of 'would you like some bits as well' oh go on then if you insist as they have recently remerged to see the light of day, although I guess that's where you are geographically researching.


ILKESTON FOR THE EXCELLENT KERRYS

TAYLORS AT WOODLEY EAT IN OR TAKE AWAY OR BOTH

Although I guess fish and chips were intended to be eaten strolling along the Promenade or the streets of your chosen town there is a crafty little option to the take away variety the chip shop that offers an eat in facility.  Certainly on visits were there is a little more time built on or I have seen all there is too see locally this is a great option and here we have two fine examples.  Firstly on visits to Stockport Town which is invariably on inclement days to make use of a 3g game Taylors of Woodley always offer an excellent example with a warm mug of tea alongside.  While closer to home Plains Fish Bar in Mapperley on visits to Gedling MW FC are also well thought of and my experience backs that up too the only problem is so does the football clubs catering as well.
Along this journey I have captured pictures of many of the delicacies sampled alongside their production emporium which has shown the wide variety of fish and chips shops available around the country.  Over the time I have reduced the pictures used and I know many like to have a look at them as part of the blog and the selection process for this write up in no way selects one over the other because this was such a difficult job to select a final group of pictures but I'm sure you will agree there is a fine selection on show.  Its often been suggested that when this started a few years back there really should have been a league table of fish and chip shops and it would of course have been challenging with so many vying for the top spot.

THE FRYERY AT WHALEY BRIDGE FEATURED BEFORE BUT WAS A SUPERB VISIT

Hope you have enjoyed the little irreverent look at one of the nations favourite meals options anyway I'm feeling a bit peckish I'm off to get something to eat, fish and chips anyone.

THE FRYING SQUAD AT SOUTH NORMANTON A FINE EXAMPLE OF FISH AND CHIPS

REFEREES WHO NEEDS THEM

REFEREES WHO NEEDS THEM

 

HARRY JONES SHOWS ITS ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION IN A GAME AT BLIDWORTH MW FC

After a current conversation with a refereeing mate, Mr R of platform 1, surprisingly the subject of writing a blog on match officials came to the fore and having nearly as far back as I can remember taken an interest in the match officials it seemed like a good idea.  More so when I realised how many referees pictures I had from the non-league games of the last few seasons of touring around the country, this proved a challenge to get the selection down and so I have featured a lot of more local referees with a few other selected.

IT DOESNT START HERE ITS OFTEN MANY HOURS EARLY WELSH PREMIER GAME AT ABERYSTWYTH V BARRY TOWN UNITED AT PARK AVENUE

Many a name will probably spring your memory into action and of course there were so many when I recalled my days of watching football league action and then the natural movement of many now to enjoying the game outside the hustle and bustle and big money of the professional game.  Although I don't remember Jack Taylor from live games he will of course be many fans quintessential English referee from the world cup final of 1974 surprisingly enough his trade was that of a butcher.  During the late 1970s and early first few years of the 80s I cant really remember noting the man in the middle but from that era Pat Partridge, George Courtney and Clive Thomas spring to mind.  Indeed Thomas from Porthcawl had become famous in the world cup game of 1978 between Brazil and Sweeden were he blew for full time as a Brazilian header was about to cross the goal line from a corner kick and all the controversy that followed, Zico's header would have secured Brazil the win but Thomas had blown for time a second before.  The South Wales referee, nicknamed 'the book', certainly seemed to have a collection of disputes follow him around but so is the life of a referee I guess.  By the time Thomas retired I had marked down his final Football League game and managed to attend the fixture at The Victoria Ground for Stoke City versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.  I well remember a packed ground on a hot sunny day in the early 80s and I was partly there to see this famous referee officiate at the top level for the last time as well as witness a good local derby.

CHARACTERS ARE STILL THERE HERE IS BRUCE BASKERVILLE WITH HIS STRICTLY COME DANCING ROUTINE IN A HOPE VALLEY GAME AT ASHOVER.

As my interest developed probably helped by Match Magazine a weekly publication that marked all the players, referees and gave a star rating for the game, the referees became more notable and I'm sure they were assessed then but they seemed like more individual characters.  A few that cropped up on regular basis while doing the football league rounds were Don Shaw [Sandbach],  Joe Worral from Warrington ultimately memorable from the stands he always seemed an amicable chap and as was the norm in those days bright white boot laces wrapped under his black footwear,  Neil Midgeley from Salford was another one whose white laces were always noticeable. 

DERBYSHIRE OFFICAL JAMES OLDHAM NOW PROGRESSED TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE HERE IN CHARGE OF A EMCL FINAL AT BARROW TOWN

In the eighties the football programmes would carry small biographies of the referees and even list the town they were from nowadays of course there is very little mention of their role outside of football and it may just be a bland Lancashire FA for the whistlers location.  But in the old day it was David Elleray [Harrow] and I know straight away that has wound up many Chesterfield fans who will never forget his misdemeanours that denied The Spireites a place at Wembley in the FA Cup final of 1997.  Elleray's school teacher job listing and his balding head matched up many supporters generalisation of referees in the 80s 'bald and bloody school teachers', backing up the bald theory you can add Keren Barratt [Coventry], Robbie Hart [Darlington] and Roger Kirkpatrick [Sulcoates] from the 70s who had the most massive mutton chop sideburns but a thinning on the top of his head.

JAMIE O CONNOR KEEPING AN EYE ON PROCEEDINGS AT BASFORD UNITED

As the characters continued to come along to my football watching Roger Dilkes from Mossley was one of a small band of well one as a far as I can remember as a referee with a beard indeed even in the game facial hair was not too popular with Micky Droy of Chelsea probably its best and probably only proponent from the players.  The Northamptonshire town of Kettering gave us Brian Hill who always seemed to be well on top of his game and Sheffield has supplied a few top quality referees with Keith Hackett of course one its most noticeable.  Another amicable guy of the refereeing circle always seemed to be Dennis Hedges [Oxford]  I remember a game at Saltergate again in the early 80s when Notts County were the opposition with a special guest to be presented to the players Sir Stanley Mathews.  Only problem was the weather had sent masses of snow but Hedges allowed time for supporters to clear the pitch and we finally had a game on and a special guest to boot.

HERE IS SIMON KAVANAGH RUGBY OFFICIAL KEEPING UP WITH GOINGS ON FOR HEANOR TOWN MANAGER GLEN CLARENCE  IN A GAME AT BROCTON

Some of the even more noticeable characters in the referees kit now then and first up is Roger Milford from Bristol, as with all these if you cant remember them a little look round the search engine will find out more on them.  Up from the south west he always seemed a players friend jollying his way through the game with his tight and small shorts, although that was the style of the time, and with his trademark long flowing grey permed hair he looked more like a 70s disco lothario than a football ref, but all joking aside he was a good one and in the games I remember you always got an entertaining game that was allowed to flow well.

DAVID CONSTABLE LAYING DOWWN THE LAW TO LIAM GREEN OF PINXTON IN A CMFL CUP FINAL AGAINST HUCKNALL TOWN AT NORTH STREET ALFRETON



The interest was clearly ignited now and towards the end of the 80s along came one E.J. 'Jim' Parker, garage proprietor from Preston who was gaining a reputation for his usage of the colours yellow and red.  Indeed in one segment of his career he issued 9 red cards in 4 games and towards the end of that season had shown 86 yellow cards.  You certainly knew who the boss was when Jim was officiating indeed by now you could find out the referee at any specific game in the week before and as I was travelling if Mr Parker was close by I would take his game in.  There was an anticipation of some controversy with a potential overuse of cards however they were normally correct calls.  In the 88/89 season I remember seeing Lincoln City have 2 players sent off against Rotherham United at Millmoor and also in the new year of 1989 Sheffield United captain Paul Stancliffe was sent off in front of the kop at Bramall Lane after telling Mr P what he though of his linesman who had flagged to disallow a home side 'goal',as The Blades went down 3-1 at home to lowly Chesterfield, the Spireites did suffer Mr Parker's high card usage when they too had three players sent off in a game against Darlington at Feethams.   Having spotted the referee who was appointed you knew there would be something happen and so it turned out.  In the 1991/92 Parker was accused of swearing at West Brom player in a game against Stoke and was suspended pending an enquiry.  After that he seemed to go a little quiet but was a fourth official at Wembley in the mid 90s before I guess returning to checking the oil on a Ford.  Mr Parker did though remain loyal to football and worked for many years for Lancashire FA and only retiring from his post within the organisation in 2018. 

 

FIRST OF TWO APPEARANCES FOR DERBYSHIRE OFFICIAL SCOTT SPERING PROVING THERE ARE CHARACTERS STILL IN THE GAME

It remained unclear what brought this interest with the referees to the front of my football watching but during the decade I had also taken the referees course and had 'a go' at it but as we all know its far easier to referee from the side lines, mind you come 3pm we all still reckon we can do a better job in the middle but we still don't have a go.

ANOTHER FROM THE SAME GAME AS REFEREE SPERING HAD RETURNED FROM CLINTONS AFTER HE RAN OUT OF CARDS IN THE NOTTINGHAM DERBY FEATURING GEDLING MW V RADFORD

As times moved on we saw a collection of characters through Graham Poll, Mark Clattenburg and now we have the indescribable star that is Mike Dean.  My theory of assessors, observers as they are now known as, where driving the individuality out of the game but I guess that is what we asked for when as supporters we constantly cried 'consistency ref'.

THE EVER POPULAR ROB REES WITH THE VIP ENTRANCE AT GRAHAM ST PRIMS

Our referees have some wonderful names and I remember one set of fixtures which must have been around April Fools Day where the FA set up, as much as they could, linked in referees names along the lines of for a example Mr Butcher, Mr Baker and Mr Candlestick-Maker.  It was a great effort from an organisation not know for its frivolity.  Moving away from this era I cannot let go the best named referee in the top flight Ray Lewis of course from Great Bookham what could have been better.  Well maybe just maybe Justice Jacobs a wonderfully named referee who just a couple of years ago was meting out well justice to any miscreants in The Midland Football League.

LUKE LAZENBY ISSUES A YELLOW CARD WITH DERBYSHIRES OWN RICHARD RILEY CATCHING UP ON ADMIN IN AN FA VASE GAME HUCKNALL

Moving away from league football just came about a natural progression I guess as the non-league became more and more interesting with the closeness to the game and a better priced entertainment all things that were being lost in the professional game.  What would refereeing bring now and after a very first game in the late 1970s at Matlock Town most of my early viewing would be at North Street Alfreton and probably my first experience was The Reds against Leeds United in a pre season friendly with the West Yorkshire side having on show Neil Aspin and Tommy Wright.
But a bit of digression what about the referees well I was very fortunate to pop along to many new non league grounds as my interest in the level of the game expanded indeed with referee Nigel Smith who achieved the accolade of officiating in The Football League.  But of course before this there had been many wonderful trips on a wet night to some out post or other that is the lifeblood of our great game.  A blast from the past occurred when travelling with Nigel to a League Cup game in the north east for Hartlepool v West Brom and after the game in popped the referees assessor non other than George Courtney, you see they never give it up.  It was another example of the sacrifices early afternoon departure and return around half past one in the morning for the match official.

REFEREE ANDY WOOD HERE AT THE PEAK OF HIS GAME AT KIMBERLEY

Often one of the first their and last out its definitely a love of the game that drives on most of the officials and when you consider the travelling involved the higher up their promotions take them jobs and family become secondary in nature to them as they seek the ultimate goal.  I have been delighted to have made many friends around the refereeing circuit and not only got some superb lifts to games, but struck up some friendships that have proven this is what sport is all about plus the insight into their day is something I would recommend to any supporter of the game.

PEACEMAKER OR JUST BLOW THE WHISTLE YORK REFEREE NICK HAWKSBY AT LIVERSEDGE IN AN FA VASE GAME

Of course the characters in refereeing are still there off the pitch you can have a chat with them after the game and see that coming to the fore but as previously mentioned there is a push for uniformity and consistency on the field of play.  That doesn't mean to say though a few years ago that its disappeared I remember quite a few of the tougher variety of league players ending their careers in non league and there would be quite a few refs make sure they got them in their notebook for the old taxi driver conversation 'guess who I had in the back of my cab [book]'.

ROB REES AGAIN SHOWING EVERYBODY UP WITH HIS VAST PRE MATCH STRETCHING ROUTINE

Todays modern non league game has seen the now re-named assessor, observer, and I have to say this is obviously essential for referee development although as a spectator even though its always denied the person with the pad in the stand does influence the way they referee.  We have all seen referees who manage normally resort more readily to cards upon an observer being in attendance, but of course we cannot have it both ways when we cry consistency.  I have seen it from both sides and for supporters who cry out about referees poor performances they really should be allowed access to the observers thoughts and marks, with names redacted of course, this would give football fans a feel for what the officials have to do in a sport that most of them would like to get promoted in too just  like the fans club.

PROVING ALL THAT PRE MATCH WARM UP WAS WOORTH IT REFEREE REES IN A SPRINT AT MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC

The game is constantly changing non more so than with the laws receiving regular upgraded interpretations, guidelines and of course the recent sin bin sanctions which apply to the bottom two step structures and Sunday League football.  Along the way the game has seen a very small band of former footballers take up the whistle and progress to any level so I suppose much like us fans we can tell them how to do it but don't fancy it when the chance comes along.  The select band at the top level features former Chesterfield player Steve Baines and alongside the non-leagues representatives Matt Walsh former Alfreton Town player who rose fast through the levels although he soon moved onto assessing and in Wales Phil Roszkowski.

FORMER CYMRU ALLIANCE PLAYER PHIL ROSZKOWSKI SHIPS A MANAGEMNT OFFICIAL OUT OF THE DUG OUT IN A GAME AT FFLINT TOWN UTD

It looks as though that advancement has slowed but on the fast moving side the game now has a collection of female referees at all levels and the non league is seeing many develop their skills within it.

ALONGSIDE RAY LEWIS OF GREAT BOOKHAM FOR GOOD NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH REFEREES JUSTICE JACOBS IN A GAME AT STAFFORD TOWN



Along the way the last few years have furthered my interest in following the referee fraternity and as the blog developed so has the photos of the officials in charge who nearly always feature.  Having covered Holywell Town versus Aberystwyth in the FAW Cup in 2015 where I cheekily asked referee Mark Petch if I could take a picture of himself and the captains in the centre circle at kick off he was fine as long as I got myself off the pitch before the start of the game.  After I had contacted him too see if he would like some of those pictures taken telling him in the process where I was from he proceeded to say his sister lived in a little village close by and that I had probably not heard of it, as you guessed it was the same village. 

MARTIN BEARD BLOCK A PLAYERS APPROACH WITH THAT WELL KNOWN BARRIER THE WHISTLE AT STAMFORD

Many an interesting story have unfolded stood around on a Saturday afternoon leaning on the pitch side barrier and in 2018, once again in Wales, a FAW Trophy game Rhos Aelwyd versus Rhostyllen brought another interesting referee from the past into focus.  During the game a spectator in a Royal Mail delivery uniform started to berate the referee with comments about how he could not see that a foul that had just happened. to which the referee came back with 'I can see everything on here mind you [looking at his hand like an envelope] I've had a few letters delivered to the wrong house.  That referee was officiating on his own with no linesman as is often the case in some Welsh fixtures and his name Mark Bridges son of Ron Bridges [Deeside] but more interestingly in that all referees had double barrelled names with the latter being their geographical location.  Bridges senior was a Football League and FIFA official so  it was a nice blast from the past which showed up once again the refereeing connections. 



ALWAYS BE CLOSE BY THE ACTION REFEREE KELVIN WILSON AWARDS WHALEY BRIDGE A PENALTY AT HOME TO PINXTON IN THE DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP



So they are young and old officiating throughout the wonderful game whether its in The Premier League, non-league or in Sunday football league and without these men and women our game wuold not be taking place.  Yes there are still characters enjoying being part of the action and long may it continue as we seek to shout our advice from the side lines and they ignore our comments or maybe just maybe like Mark Bridges they will come back with an even sharper response in return. 

AND FINALLY GREAT RESPECT AS ROSS CRAWFORD REFEREES HIS LAST STAFFORDSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE GAME AT WOLSTANTON IN 2018 AGAINST EASTWOOD HANLEY.  A LATE WINNER SAW THE HOME SIDE CLAIM THE TITLE WITH A 2-1 VICTORY