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Thursday, 9th September 2010

 
Well that's it. All that preparation, worry and cost and it’s all over.

Still I suppose the festive period has given us all something to look back on and some talking points for the next few weeks.

As for me, I had a very sober Christmas and New Year and if it wasn't for my splendid Christmas day lunch at Staverton Hotel the whole period would seemed to have been spent on the football field either as a referee or an assistant.

Yes an assistant!

I was scheduled to be the reserve ref at Chelsea v Liverpool in the Carling Cup when one of the assistants pulled a muscle pre-match and yours truly 'ran the line' for the first time in nine years and what a surreal experience it was.

Next time I’m watching Long Buckby I’m never going to be caught shouting ‘keep up with play lino’ as I found the whole experience very hard, although Jamie Carragher the Liverpool captain on the night did say to me as he picked the ball up for a throw-in, that I made a better linesman than ref!

Was that a compliment?

Anyway normal service was resumed on New Year’s Day when I took to the middle for the Man Utd v Birmingham clash.

I expected some quick caustic comments from the United manager but the game passed off without me even seeing him.

I must have reffed well and was quite pleased until I was informed that he had to watch the entire game from high up in the stands as he had been banned from the touchline for advice he had given to one of my colleagues in a previous match!

I seemed to be avoiding any controversy this season and as such have been rewarded with a post-Christmas present in the shape of the Carling Cup semi final first leg between Chelsea and Everton which was played on Tuesday evening.

I hope all goes well and I don’t find the occasion as difficult as my last trip to Stamford Bridge, which resulted with me having the flag in my hand.

Anyway, rather belatedly could I wish you all a very happy New Year, especially all our local teams who now have the second-half of the season to consolidate or go for glory.
 
 

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