The Referee.
In one way the most important man on the field is the referee, as the
success of the game depends a great deal on his ability to control the
play and players adequately. He is commonly known as the "Knight of the
Whistle," and his responsibilities are manifold. To be a successful
referee one must keep thoroughly fit, and be able to turn out on to the
field in as good a condition as the player does, for he has got to go
through more running than any of the twenty-two players, and must keep
up with their pace. Like Caesar's wife, he should be above suspicion, and
give his decisions without fear or favour. It is the weak referee that
often spoils a game and brings football into disgrace.
Refereeing in a first class match is much easier than taking the whistle
in what we might call junior ones. In senior circles players know the
game from "A" to "Z," and play accordingly; but often a referee has to
use more judgment than if he were officiating for the English Cup at the
Crystal Palace. However, this is only by the way, and I must dwell upon
the senior referee more than the junior. In brief, my ideal referee
must have the following qualifications:--
1. A thorough knowledge of the rules of the game.
2. Be strong minded enough to enforce his decisions when once
they are given.
3. He should have been a player himself, and still be as active
as ever on the field.
4. He must be an autocrat. (If necessary, the F.A. will support
him to the fullest extent possible.)
Really the duties of a referee are manifold. He has full control of the
play, and must use a great amount of tact, for if he does not, he not
only spoils the game but his own reputation. He should be quick in
giving his decisions, and must adhere to them, despite the grumblings
and comments of the players or spectators. The professional footballer
of to-day is very quick in weighing up the referee. He knows in his
heart whether he can do as he likes or if the referee is to be obeyed.
Supposing the man with the whistle is weak, no one knows better than the
players, and again, if he is strong, they know they can take no
liberties during the course of the game. In ordinary games the referee
must be strong and have no connection with the clubs engaged. The most
able referees that I have played under or witnessed were men who were
slow to speak, but when occasion arose were quick to act. As a matter of
fact, they have simply to say "Do this," and it is done; and there is
trouble for anyone who endeavours to dispute their ruling. The greatest
referee may make mistakes. Still, he must maintain the dignity of his
decisions when once given. In many ways a referee is born and not made,
and all the best referees are those who have played the game when they
were young, and have followed it up continually since leaving off,
actually taking part in the kicking of the ball. Their hearts are in the
game, and this makes all the difference, to a great degree, whether they
are successful or not. In senior circles referees are supposed to be
unbiassed, which I am glad to say in the general run of cases they are.
The crowd of the home side are naturally in favour of their friends, and
the referee has often to put up with any amount of comment and ridicule.
It is then that he should show his character and worth by distributing
the law of the game as it ought to be done in all honesty and fairness.
Probably it may be considered vanity on my part to give the would-be
referee a few ideas from a player's point of view. A referee should, if
possible, know each man by name and the position he occupies in the
field, so that if a reprimand is necessary he can say, "Jones or
MacPherson, stop that!" A little phrase like that goes a very long way,
and I may attribute the secret of some of our referees' success to
knowing the names of the players they are refereeing, and so being able
to call them personally to order when necessary.
The relation of the referee to the linesmen is a very great question,
and whether he should be persuaded by the two men on the line has often
been discussed both on and off the field. To sum it up briefly, my
opinion is that a referee should act upon his own discretion, but when
in doubt should consult his linesmen. If he gives a decision on the spur
of the moment when he is certain he is quite correct, he must not be
persuaded by the opposition one way or the other. Still, when he is in
doubt he should certainly appeal to the linesmen, and the referee who
does not do so is bound to get into bad odour. The linesman is closely
connected with the referee in every way, although his duties are not
really arduous. In reality, he has simply to follow the ball up the
field, give his decision as to whether the sphere has gone over the
lines, and to say which side should have the benefit, and whether a
corner kick should be given or not.
Of recent years the penalty kick has often been a great trouble to the
referee, and should a man be forgiven for overlooking a certain foul it
must be decided by the opinion of the man on the line. The penalty kick
is probably the most difficult point the referee of to-day has to deal
with, and he should give it instantly with the courage of his
convictions, and even if the decisions of his linesmen are different.
Quickness and decision are what is really wanted in a referee.
Just a word or two to the spectators. They should not judge quickly or
harshly, and should always recognise that it is one man that must
decide, rightly or wrongly. They must not overlook the fact that he has
got to do so on the spur of the moment, and that he has no time for
reflection. Whilst dwelling on the subject of referees, it is a matter
of regret that many players do not take any interest in junior circles,
where their personality would command respect. The boy of to-day,
knowing that a certain International is going to officiate in the game
he is taking part in, will play much better than if Tom, Dick, or Harry
had the control, a fact which proves for itself that personality is a
great thing in the "Knight of the Whistle." John Lewis, of Blackburn,
has been crowned King of Referees, and undoubtedly this was greatly due
to his personality on the field. The player knew he could take no
liberties whatever, and when a warning was once given it was given so
that the player was sure that his next act of disobedience would ensure
for him his marching order off the field, and that later he would be
dealt with by the F.A. Mr. Lewis always let the player know when he had
gone too far in any way, and afterwards it was for a player to see that
it did not occur again. It is a pity that more first-class players, when
they have finished their playing career, do not follow it up by becoming
referees. Referees of the class of Major Marindin, J. C. Clegg, J. J.
Bentley, and many others, are badly wanted in the football of to-day. I
might appeal to the older players to take a greater interest in the
beginners than they are doing at the present time. They should remember
the days when they were young and the interest taken in them by their
elders, who used to go out of their way to encourage them in their
sport, and endeavour to do to-day what was done for them years ago.
Junior referees are badly wanted, especially men of a reputation that is
well respected. I, even in my little way, refereeing last year, found
my name and fame as a Cup-holder and International was a great
recommendation, and called for the respect that is really due to worthy
officials. If this appeals to any player it is easy for him to become a
referee by applying to his local association. The biggest bugbear that
the referee has to contend with is the penalty and offside restrictions.
To the uninitiated the offside rule appears quite simple, but to the
referee it is the most difficult problem he has got to overcome during
the course of the day. His eye is always on the ball, and whilst
following it up quickly he is naturally inclined to miss some point
which appeals to the onlookers, every one of whom considers himself a
critic. The penalty kick plays an important part in the game of to-day,
and this particular point requires instant decision, consequently the
referee needs to be a man with good judgment, and one who is not to be
deterred by criticism, whether it be by players, spectators, or
directors.