For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!

With Luke otherwise engaged, we turn to Gav Mack as we talk all things football refereeing this week. We discuss the need for good communication, effective talk and also discuss why Gav is taking a break from football. How can we improve behaviour in football or has it now gone too far? Is there a way where the 'football family' can come together to solve the issues within it? As ever, let...

Children often follow in their parent's footsteps but this time it is the other way around. So why did Claire Paye take up the whistle? In this episode, Claire talks about the progression she has made from being terrified in an under 9s match to stepping up to level 5. She talks about how she is perceived as a female referee. A refreshing and insightful chat as ever!

We were so happy to have Mike from the Referee Circle back with us this week. Mike has recently returned from an injury and he talks about his rehab and how he is rebuilding his fitness. Lots of good chat in this episode about consistency and how it is so difficult to achieve.

FA CORE co-regional leader James 'Slim' Campbell joins us this week. He talks us through the changes to FA CORE and the extension of certain areas of the group. He also discusses the management of the game itself and how we can get the enjoyment factor back. As ever, it was an enjoyable chat and gave us lots of food for thought. Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts on our so...

Like many young referees, Lucas Brace was a player and earning a bit of cash as a hobby. Upon reaching 16, he hung up the playing boots taking the brave step into adult refereeing. Lucas talks about the challenges and the realistic goals he has set himself. A lovely episode to hear from a young referee talk so well. Luke and Wayne also discuss the quality of ginger referees in the County and all t...

Andy Woolmer officiated 500 Football League games so what now motivates him to want to give back to the local game? What does he have to do to maintain the levels of professionalism he has become accustomed to? Find out in this episode - it's a great welcome back!

The boys are back in town! You might have doubted us but the best refereeing podcast on this planet is back with more fun, games and debate throughout the season! Follow us on all the social media channels and we look forward to interacting with you over the course of the season! Let's GOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Join us for a Summer bonus episode as we are joined by the co-founder of THE REF STOP! Dale Wilson is not only an active official but he has created a brand that is making massive strides in the world of refereeing. Find out all their plans in this episode and how the Ref Stop came to be!

In this wonderful episode, we get to find out what it is like to referee an FA Cup final! From the performances leading up to the appointment, to receiving the phone call, to preparing for the game and the build-up, we hear it all. We also discuss the VAR and penalty decision but also think deeply about confidence and the pressure of getting the decisions right. A brilliant end to the season - tha...

The penultimate episode of the series and we are pleased to have Stuart Burt back. He talks about his upcoming appointment to the FIFA Club World Cup and the season he has had. He also talks about the pride of officiating in a match with his daughter and his role as a coach in local grassroots football. Once again we thank Stu for his time at the end of a busy season.

We had a great chat with Phoebe again as she continues to make huge strides in the women's game. We talk about the resilience to come back from injury and how a trip to Florida made her even hungrier for reaching the top of the game. We talk about her recent trip to Stamford Bridge and her pride at seeing her good friend and colleague Stacey reach the top of the domestic game.

This week we speak to Ron James. Ron has had a long and varied career in football starting from a playing career, refereeing and administration in football. Ron is well-known in local footballing circles and is definitely a character! However, Ron is also passionate about referee development and protecting the key stakeholders in the game. Make sur e you tune in!

A good chat this week about the transition to refereeing from playing. What is the attraction? Is there one? Where is the next generation of referees coming from for adult football and does social media have a part to play?

This week we are joined by Ryan Eldred - we discuss how self-reflection is important in refereeing and how we need to dig deep sometimes to show resilience. We talk about our approach to refereeing and how this is impacted by the level of the game and the expectations of the key stakeholders in the game. A very interesting episode.

On this week's episode, we talk to local footballing legend Charlie Fleming. He talks about football in the 80s and how he feels it has changed over time. He talks about how refereeing has changed and the changes he feels should be made. As usual, we also talk all the latest issues and see if Luke has recovered from his injury! We also discuss outside interference. Another great episode.

Sunday 17th November 2024 and Rob is refereeing a game between Northants All Stars and Northampton Exiles in the Nene League. He hasn't been feeling well. The next thing he remembers is waking up surrounded by strangers. Thanks to the expertise of a local healthcare professional, Rob was put into an ambulance and taken to hospital. That was his battle commencing to get back to refereeing but t...

This week, during the international break, we are joined by Liam Bailey-Shaw. He tells us why he has been impressed by the influx of young referees in the County this season and makes us howl with one of the greatest refereeing stories we have heard for a long time! Make sure you give us a listen!

Delving back into the grassroots game, we talk to David Evans. Not only is David a newly-promoted referee operating at Level 4, but he also has vast experience in managing a team, refereeing rugby and is now also mentoring his son who has recently taken up the whistle. We also chat about all the latest debate around refereeing! Don't forget to subscribe to our socials and give us a follow!

Eric Edge was an academy goalkeeper whose career took him to America. He continued playing at a semi-professional level in England before deciding to take up the whistle but what made him make that decision? We chat to Eric about the challenges of a move into officiating along his hobby of documenting much of his work on social media. Eric has his own pages on YouTube and Instagram and shares his...

This week's special guest is the 'Grassroots Guy' himself Rohan Anund. His team have developed the wonderful app called Centre Circle which has revolutionised referee appointing and support. We talk all about how the app was started, developed and what it has in store for us in the future. Rohan talks all about his love for football and how his passion for grassroots football drives hi...

Some brilliant discussion this week. Are we in an observer crisis? Is the future, talent identification? James 'Slim' Campbell is Regional Co-ordinator for CORE and a former observer. He talks candidly about his love of the game, love of refereeing and what he would have done differently if he had been coaching himself.

Legend is a name given to many these days but in this case it is richly deserved. This week we are joined by Bryan Lewin MBE. Bryan has spent a lifetime in football from playing and coaching, to secretarial work to his current position as a Director at the NFA. Join us as we also discuss all of the latest refereeing news and views including the Michael Oliver incident in the Merseyside Derby.

Krister Halvorsen touches down this week (see what I did there?) as he talks all things American Football. Krister started out as a football referee before being invited to watch some training of the American Football game. Fast forward a few years, and a Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium appearance later and he educates Wayne and Luke all about the game! The boys also talk about all of the la...

Join us once again for our 93rd episode of the podcast where we are joined by Stuart Lathan. Stuart has not only had success in refereeing but was also a successful manager and coach in local football before he made the jump into officiating. Controversial at times, Stuart gives us his honest opinions on refereeing and why he feels that Sunday football is a struggle.

We were privileged to be joined by SETH GALIA, the newest FIFA referee on our live episode this week. We spoke about his journey to the top and the challenges he faced along the way. We were also joined by our regular panel guest MIKE from the Referee Circle and by ELIOT from Whistlestopfooty. We discussed all the latest controversial topics including the red card from the Arsenal v Wolves game.