Well had to go and get some new boots at the weekend as i noticed mine were splitting. I had already dumped a pair at the end of last season so really needed to get some.
I went to the local JJB and what a complete lack of choice. They only had about 20 pairs of boots of which most were blue & red. If it wasn’t for the Black Nike’s that they had variations of I would have been stuck.
In the end I brought some black tiempo’s which id had before. I did like the looks of the Nike Multigrounds but when I asked for them was told they had one in 11 & one in 12!
Its getting harder and harder to get plain black boots. There are some out there but you can pay quite a lot of money for them. As a rule I wont spend aynmore thatn £50 on a pair of boots though. Even through Referee suppliers like Official Sports there not plain black and have colour flashing on them.
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There’s been a lot of talk on the various Referee websites about the directive from the FA regard jewelry. The FA have instructed that all rings must be removed and are not allowed to be taped.
This has caused lots of uproar with some players and official’s being unable to remove them having worn them for years.
I have been given the following advice from a National List official based on advice they were given. All jewelry must be removed. However, if it is that the player can not remove this, they must prove this to the match referee. If he is happy that it cannot be removed then it may be taped if it is safe for this to be done.
I also asked an instructor from my County tonight and was told that there is a chance the FA may back down from there stance. However until this happens he suggests and expects it to be enforced.
I haven’t seen this email and now I have my Broadband working again will email the FA and find out what is going on.
Updated Email the FA today and I am awaiting a response – 28/7
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Well I got my first game of Pre Season under the belt. The incredible heat didn’t make things easy but it cooled down nicely in the first half. The Referee Andre Mariner arranged a water break in the 1st half after about 30 minutes which was needed.
I was a bit rusty being honest, there was two occasions where I got caught behind play. Once on a through ball I was slow to react, then a ball down the line I got caught a bit ball watching. But this is what pre-season is about getting the feel back. And despite these two slips I was reasonably happy.
The game itself was 6-2 to the Forest academy side. To be fair it was harsh on Gresley with most of the goals coming in the last 30 minutes. The last being a cracking goal. If you wish to read a report of the match you can visit the Gresley Rovers website and read the report here.
http://www.gresleyrovers.com/fixtures/report/5374
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Well with only 29 days to go the new season and my first friendly on Monday, preparations have been a foot for a few weeks now.
Since I passed my fitness test on the 11th June (2750metres) in the blistering heat, I’ve been training 3 times a week. It has been quite difficult in recommend weeks though to gauge how the fitness has progressed as its been so hot. However I feeling lighter and ready to go.
After purchasing a few items last season I’ve not really had to much need to purchase new kit. I went through my kit and couldnt really identify anything new that was needed. I wanted a new pair of boots as i threw a pair away but that’s about it.
However that soon changed and I’ve brought 2 new shirts, a pair of shorts, some socks and a couple of new whistles. Nothing that exciting but still. I was tempted to go with the Official Sports Emirates kit as worn by the Premier League & Football league official’s. However in the end I went with the Umbro kit again. This is no reflection on the Official sports kit, but I’ve always liked the Umbro ones. I am a bit old fashioned in the fact that for me a Referee should always be in plain black, none of this multi colour or fancy stuff.
You decided which one you prefer
Official Sports
Umbro 
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Well only 29 days to go the new season and I cant wait. Have my first pre-season game on Monday night in the Bass Charity Vase.
This is local charity compeition that has ran every year since its inception in 1898. The Bass Vase itself is the oldest trophy in the world. Over the years all the local teams, Deryby, Wolves, Forsest have competed and won it. Its allways a nice tournment to be involved in as you have the odd “star” turn out for the teams as well. Also the Referee’s are Football League officals and recently Dermon Gallacher referee’d the final.
Check out their website at http://www.basscharityvase.com/
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The purpose of this blog is to record the ups and downs of a season as a Referee.
I have been a referee since November 1993 having passed the exam at the age of 14. In this time I have been promoted through the ranks and I am currently a level 4 referee.
I am based in the midlands and officiate on the Contributary League system as an Assitant Referee and the new Midlands Supply system as a Referee. Over the years I have officatedin the FA Cup, FA Vase, FA Tropy, FA Youth Cup, FA Sunday Cup and Academy league games. While also being lucky enough to officate at some Football Leaugue grounds including Hilsborough, Pride Park & Baseball Ground.
Outside of Football, I work as an IT Consultant and am Married and have been for 6 years.
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