FROM ASSISTANT TO REFEREE AND BACK AGAIN

Simon Beck gives us an insight to life juggling his time as a referee and assistant!

Simon Beck is one busy man. As well as working full time, the official from Essex is a Select Group Assistant and a Panel League Referee.

He gives us an exclusive into his typical week – whatever that might be!

Saturday arrives and I wake up in a hotel bed miles from home with my match preparation beginning with a high carbohydrate (not calorie!!) breakfast. Today my game involves me operating as an assistant on a Premier League match.

My colleagues and I meet fours hours prior to kick off at the same hotel where we await the arrival of our vehicle to take us to the ground.

Our arrival at the ground is generally 2 hours before kick off so the intervening time is used to discuss the game and provide the team with the opportunity to bond. Generally I have operated with all my Select Group colleagues, but this time is especially important if the team have not operated collectively together before.

The referee leads the team throughout the day where I (as an assistant) am expected to support him and assist him both on and off the field of play.

The game goes well, we get transported back to the hotel where we collect our own cars and leave for home.

Oh how different Tuesday was!

Tuesday morning starts with me leaving for work before 7am as I have a game a considerable distance from work this evening. I have managed to negotiate with the ‘boss’ to leave early to ensure my prompt arrival but the trade off is the early start.

I leave for the ground having checked traffic reports etc for not only mine but my colleagues routes. My drive to the ground is always included within my match preparation schedule, so I know if there are problems I can factor any lateness etc into my match countdown.

My team (for the evening) arrive at varying times with certain members close to the stipulated minimum arrival time prior to kick off. This has been caused by work pressures etc as perhaps these individuals are not as fortunate as me with having the support of the boss.

I have not worked with two of my colleagues before, so it is now imperative that in the short space of time prior to kick off, I build a team ethos and get everyone focused on the game. The last member of the team arrives (match assessor), we enjoy some hospitality and utilise this time to get to know each other.

At this point my pre-match schedule kicks into full swing with the expectations of my colleagues for me as referee to take charge. The first pre-match role is to meet with the Chief Safety Steward and Police in order to receive their instructions as to their expectation of me in the event of any number of emergencies. Pre match instructions are delivered to my colleagues in order to provide them with guidance and direction to bring tonight’s game to a satisfactory conclusion.

Team sheets are brought to the changing room 1 hour prior to kick off, and checked prior to speaking with both captains and members of the technical area. When speaking to the captains I attempt to communicate my expectations regarding adherence to the Respect campaign to them, their players and those occupants of the technical area.

The game finishes but there has been a key match incident where a goal has been disallowed for an offside decision. As an assistant myself, my colleague has my sympathy but requires my support as the manager is unhappy with this decision. This is where my experience within the Select Group assists me as I have seen referees defuse such situations before and I call upon this to do the same. A post match debrief is delivered by the assessor and having received this, the refereeing team leave the ground collectively.

Yesterday my fixture for the coming weekend was received, so on the way home it’s now time to concentrate on my preparation for Saturday’s game and my role as Assistant and not referee.