Treat Refs with respect

We've had a message from the league about referees:

REFEREE'S , SCORECARDS AND REPORTS .

Firstly , can I thank the manager's and teams who have looked after the new referee's .

However , following last weekend's sharp rise in the idiot count , I thought it wise to point certain things out .

RED AND YELLOW CARDS .

If a player receives a card , you can confidently expect it to be sent in to Cheshire / Manchester FA . Approaching a referee after a match to ask if it will be sent in is pointless .

TOUCHLINE CONTROL .

of spectators is the job of the manager / coach . If the referee asks for a spectator to be quietened down then it is the responsibility of the manager to accede to the request . The same applies if a referee requests a manager to remove a spectator , or indeed the manager himself / herself . Ultimately , if the request of the referee is not followed through , then the referee is within his rights to abandon the match should any verbal abuse continue or if the person is not removed .

RUBBER LIP SYNDROME .

Your referee is there to provide a game of football for the junior's . Even if you don't like the decision's , we are not there to listen to your opinions . It's natural that mistakes will be , and are made , just as manager's and player's will make countless mistakes during games . You would be rightly offended were we as referee's to turn to you and tell you how bad you or your player's were , especially were we to do this throughout a game . Last Saturday gave an example , a manager continuously telling a newly qualified junior referee how bad he thought he was . This from a gentleman who no doubt has never , and probably will never , referee a game .

SCORECARDS / REPORTS .

If you mark your referee four or less on the scorecard you will be asked , through your age-group secretary , to provide a written report why . You may also be asked to provide a report should your referee make a complaint directy to me that he feels should be dealt with 'locally' rather than through the FA . It is in the teams best interest to provide a written report as soon as possible . If I don't receive a requested report within a reasonable time , I will withhold referee's from the team concerned until I receive the report . Please note , I won't be dealing with such matters by phone , neither should you expect me to deal with complaints about match decisions . It is both impractical and unfair for me to make a judgement on a referee's decision's , whether I was in attendance or not .

It is unfortunate to note , that I have had to remove teams already from referee allocation simply because of their treatment of match officials . It's pretty sad that teams of twelve and thirteen year old lad's won't be allowed a referee just because an adult doesn't know how to behave . I expect to have to withhold referee's from other teams next week because of the absence of requested reports .

It's up to you folks . Treat your referee with respect regardless of your opinions , regardless of their age and regardless of their experience .

Or lose them .