20 Sep 2019 22:35:54
ed001 with the state of the refs in football. why have the FA never thought about fast tracking ex pros from the lower leagues when they retire. they understand the game having played. league 1 and 2 players need a job when they finish playing there is not enough jobs in football and so many suffer depression when the only thing they know is taken from them. I all so think there would be better rapport between them and the players when you see some of the ref act like school Teachers talking to kids.

{Ed001's Note - it is nothing to do with the FA but the PGMOL who trains and employs match officials. It has been suggested many times to put ex-pros in and I am sure I read recently that they are doing a test programme to try it at last.}

20 Sep 2019 22:51:27
It seems a good idea on the face of it. But refs, guys whos ambition was to become a ref, look at the game differently from the rest of us. In a way i feel sorry for them, then i remember they have the best seat in the house to see worldies going in. They tend to be more intelligent than footballers in general. And footballers, ex pros have favourites and perhaps grudges. Pretty sure they could do the lower leagues though. Anyone know what that young spurs defender who could not play anymore is doing now. He seemed smart enough for the job. In the prem even.

20 Sep 2019 23:21:38
Interesting thought that actually. I wonder though if it would appeal to many ex players who want to stay in football. Becoming a ref of course still keeps you involved in the game but the lack of competing or working within a team fighting to achieve targets or goals would surely be what they'd crave.

Referees have only a professional responsibility to do their job to the book, have no competitive aspect, no chance of being creative in trying to progress within a team.

Refs play a neutral role and only ever represent themselves and their reputation individually. Would be a very different mentality change from a career of a football player and I wonder would that be a turn off.