It’s funny what you find when clearing out your Internet Bookmarks. Stuff such as this place.
As you can see from the previous updates – this site has not been updated for nearly 12 months, not because of procrastination or lack of interest – more the fact that I lost the login details for it.
Anyway, I do intend to update this on a casual but regular basis over the foreseeable future.
So – what has happened in the intervening 360-odd days? Well, quite a bit as it happens.
Biggest change is that I’m currently in my first year of study at the University of Worcester, where I’m trying to secure a Computing Degree over the next three years. Surprisingly for the supposed “easy first year” – it’s been nothing but the opposite in the first Semester. Assignments coming out of my ears – most of which need to be submitted in the New Year. Could well be a very busy Christmas period this year. On the plus side – I’ve met a good number of pretty decent people in our Lecture Groups – you know who you are!
Refereeing is going pretty well so far this season – the requisite number of matches has been reached (but I still need to get my requisite number of Higher Grade matches in, as well as relevant Level Assessments).
The summer was a successful one. Two main tournaments attended in July/August – two main finals refereed.
The long awaited return to Derry in Northern Ireland and the Foyle Cup was the first of the two. Have to say that it was probably the best week of football I’ve had both on and off the pitch. Ending up with a run out in The Brandywell and the honour of refereeing the Under 16′s Senior Final between QPR and the NE Counties Schools League from Meath. Four things stood out for me in this one. The videoing of the game by a professional cameraman in the main stand (will need to request a copy soon), the provision of a very solid team of Assistants and Fourth Official for me (I could count on them to give me full support – which they did above and beyond), the provision of a massive video screen behind the one goal with a countdown clock on it (helped with noting the time of a Caution in the second half!) and finally the professionalism of both teams – which assisted my control of the match and added to the enjoyment of it no end.
Away from the football – the enjoyment of the week was greatly enhanced with there being an absolutely great bunch of people working with us – the social stuff in the evening was the stuff of legends. Too many late nights were had, but they were superb ones. Mr Humphreys, Mr Forbes, Mr Ritchie, Mr Forrest, Mr Doak and not forgetting Messrs Liddy, Kelpie and McAree – I salute every single one of you – and hope to be back in 2011!
Norway was the standard week it has become famous for. Expensive beer, decent football and a mixed Refereeing Panel all added up to an interesting week. It culminated for me in being given the task of refereeing one of the 7-a-side Main Finals involving a team from the north of Norway against a team from Palestine. The Palestinians were victorious 1-0 with a goal 3 minutes or so from time.
Two other trips to Norway for varying Conference weekends with the FA were also well received and very useful for developing my own game.
I also picked up my Long Service Award for 15 Years of Refereeing Service to the Worcestershire FA in November – a very well run evening was enjoyed by all in attendance.
As for 2011 – hopefully the completion of the first year of the degree, Refereeing trips to Barcelona, Ayr, Bognor, Oslo, Derry and Croatia, a trip to Sweden to compile a report for our local Referee Magazine, the completion of the 2010/11 English FA refereeing season, a return to Oslo for part of the summer break to take care of the 2011 Oslo FA Football season, and finally the arrangements completed to study abroad for half of 2012 as part of the ERASMUS scheme.
It will be a packed 12 months – you can be sure of that…
