I began refereeing when I was 14 - so as early as possible. Having passed my test in the March, I went on to officiate a few small sided tournaments that summer and then began refereeing in the local junior league that September. I did this for three years, with growing levels of success and confidence until one of my senior colleagues (with whom I was officiating on the local supply league as an assistant) persuaded me to go into the local Sunday league as a referee.
As one of the youngest referees on the league it was never going to be easy to stamp my authority, but my levels of fitness, ably assisted by my way of interacting with players meant that I became a success on this league too, if only in divisions two to six.
So I left for university full of optimism for my refereeing career but I was soon knocked back by the referees appointments secretary (RAS) on the youth league where I was moving to. Hampered by strange kick off times, long travel and an inability for the RAS to be flexible I stopped refereeing, save for the odd weekend when I went home.
At the start of my second year at unviverity I heard that the RAS had changed for the league, so I got in touch with the new man and he was much more helpful, and I enjoyed a successful two years on that league, culminating in being selected to referee the U15s cup final, an honour indeed.
So now I am back in Lincoln and looking forward to officiating in the Sunday league and also the Mid Lincs Youth League (that is about as much hint to my identity as will be given!)
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