Blog

Playing football on tarmac, with Anfield Stadium in the background, was an almost everyday occurrence when I was growing up. I still feel the pain of making slide tackles on a surface that doubled ...
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Ref Support UK are proud to announce that we have officially partnered with Cancer Research UK   CRUK_BlowTheWhistleOnCancer_TheSouth 2019_REF_V1 ...
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We recently challenged an official clubs twitter account after they posted serious abuse about a ref. This resulted in a retraction of the tweets, deleting of the tweet and a public apology from the ...
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Statement released with Lee Probert’s blessing from Ref Support UK The Premier League has released a statement in regards to our close friend Lee Probert retiring as a referee from the Premier League. We ...
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Referee Matches Red Cards Yellow Cards Martin Atkinson 2 0 6 Mike Dean 2 0 7 Andre Marriner 2 0 5 Michael Oliver 2 0 3 Anthony Taylor 2 0 9 Stuart Attwell 1 ...
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Our CEO, Martin Cassidy, has announced live on TalkSport, that we are working with Cancer Research UK on a new initiative for 2020. Tuesday 4th February 2020, is World Cancer Day and to mark ...
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The 21 day suspension of referee Dave McNamara by the Football Association (The FA) for using “Rock Paper Scissors” for the kick off procedure is in our opinion a disproportionate punishment for this offence ...
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So… VAR! Well after Englands opening fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2018 we thought it would be best to give you all the full low down on how FIFA plan to use VAR ...
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Ref Support UK are pleased to share news that the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have opened applications for FA Match Observers to apply for the position to Observe Select Group Officials. In ...
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Congratualtions to all the officials that have been appointed to The Buildbase FA Trophy and FA Vase Finals that will both be played at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 20th May 2018. The Buildbase FA ...
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It’s something that every referee at the professional level aims for yet they are all humbled and surprised when they get the phone call from The FA. Michael Oliver has been appointed as the ...
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Ryan Hampson an Ambassador of Ref Support UK was charged by Lancashire County FA for Improper Conduct under FA Rule E3. The charge related to the creation and distribution of an email sent to ...
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So we are getting to the pivotal stage of our seasons now where cup final appointments are being made and released, and we just wanted to say Well done to all who have been ...
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Ryan Hampson Q. What County FA do you fall under? A. Lancashire County FA Q. How long have you been refereeing? A. Just over 3 years Q. What level are you? A. Level 5 Q ...
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On Friday 23rd March 2018, Sky Sports News that was in the middle of wrapping up their #SupportTheRef week posted a number of story’s surrounding Denis Wise taking the whistle and refereeing the first ...
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An interesting question has been raised within the Ref Support UK forum on Facebook; Should League & County Cups be appointed a Referee Observer?  This then of course raised a few more questions such ...
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For everyone that’s joined up to the Ref Support UK Facebook group, they will notice the rapid increase of activity on the group and we thought that now would be a good time too ...
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Every week we hear referees using the phrase “I got 22 handshakes in my game” upon entering the refs’ changing rooms or in core meetings and no doubt every single one of us as ...
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A teenage referee who claims he was abused by three grown men durng a match was threatened with an FA misconduct charge after reporting it. The treatment of 15-year-old Max Ormesher has prompted his ...
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Crime and Referee Abuse: The evolution of a problem I have always believed that nearly all crime or similar problems evolve from something in our early development and addressing this early can prevent them ...
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After lengthy discussions with The FA Referees and Legal Departments, Ref Support would like to release the following communication from The Legal department of The FA at Wembley Stadium. The purpose of this statement ...
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I found it astonishing whilst refereeing and now coaching referees that I see players,parents and club officials say things to match officials and I think “I wonder if that was in a pub if ...
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#lovethewhistle / #lovethegame There has been an excessive amount of negativity with regard to refereeing lately and as ever the abuse of match officials’ is the main topic of the negativity. What motivates colleagues ...
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