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Page updated Tuesday 29th December 2009 |
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Referee Tony Cloak Age: 46 Home town: Barnstaple Experience/Level: Level 4; Has been a referee for 12 years Family: Wife June, who is a lecturer at North Devon College, and son Thomas Football background: Has never played for a team, but was always interested in football, and took the referees exam Leagues in Charge: Referee in the Peninsula, North Devon, Sunday, Women’s, Youth and School leagues, and an assistant referee in the Contributory Leagues, which includes Zamaretto Southern and Toolstation western. Hobbies: Football; Tony used to be a boxer and fought more than 100 bouts as an amateur and11 as a professional. He also practiced martial arts for a few years What change could be made to the game to attract more people into refereeing?: Assessors and referees must be more consistent. A referee must earn respect, as it is not given to him, and he can deal with dissent by the use of his cards that are in his pocket
Taken from The Sunday Independent, 4th October 2009 |
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North Devon RA’s president Brain Pearce was recently honoured by the England and Wales Cricket Boards’ Association of Cricket Officials for his service to cricket umpires. The following piece appeared in the North Devon Journal
Brian is officially honoured
Andrew Jones North Devon Journal 8th October 2009
AS an umpire, Brian Pearce has seen countless batsmen raise their bats to acknowledge passing a landmark - now he can finally celebrate a half-century of his own. The England and Wales Cricket Board's Association of Cricket Officials, and its Devon branch, have marked Brian's 50-year contribution to umpiring, both in the white coat himself and in training others. At the latest Devon ACA trainers' meeting at Sandford Cricket Club, the 81-year-old from Fremington was presented with' a Waterford Crystal bowl and a scroll highlighting his achievements since first taking up umpiring in 1959. "That was a complete. surprise, I had no indication of it whatsoever," said Brian, who is still appointments and training officer for the North Devon branch of the Devon ACA but "very rarely' umpires' now, merely one or two youth matches a year". While also training football referees, Brian has spent30 years instructing cricket umpires in North Devon, combining a love of. sport and education - he was a teacher at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford . He said: "There have been vast changes. Looking back, it is quite incredible how change has come about - it's beyond belief." In technology as well as the laws. "In my early days of cricket umpiring or football referring; you made your own visual aids to illustrate the points 'you made," he added'. "Today; you have got DVD’s where you can see the action in front of you." Brian took to officiating when his own playing days were cut short by "a rather severe back injury". "I played a little," he said, "After the injury; I could play cricket but I suffered for it for a week or so, then that would become a fortnight or so. "I used to love to play football but because of the injury I turned to coaching; "I was on a Football Association course at Loughborough in themid-1950s to get my coaching badges and they asked me to referee some of the matches. Norman Creek, the deputy director of coaching at the FA, more or less said coaching is good but we need you as a referee. "I came home and contacted the training officer for referees in North Devon and went through the courses . "I liked both refereeing and umpiring and the training of both. "However much you love a subject, you can get a bit stale, but because I changed from one to the other that kept me fresh." Born in Surrey but raised in North Devon, Brian returned to the South East to teach. He was an umpire training officer in both counties at the same time before coming home when he retired from teaching in 1988. Working as a team with Richard Smith and Jack Neville, he will begin training the next group of potential umpires in January with the start of a new, eight-week course, Despite their best efforts, there is an increasing shortage of umpires. "I would really like more," said Brian. "I'm responsible for appointing umpires for all the youth matches in North Devon plus regional matches and the first division of the North Devon League. We just about cover ourselves. "I have a number on my panel who have been faithful, worthy and excellent servants over many years but they are coming towards the end of their careers as umpires. If I'm not careful, I'm not going to be able to replace them." Brian would also like to see cricketers and footballers attend his courses; "The youth of today; if they understood the law then they would get it right when they played," he said. "If they were given out or had a goal disallowed, they would have a better understanding. But where are they to go to acquire the' knowledge other than come on an umpiring or refereeing course? "The trouble is, does your average layman ever buy a copy of the laws of association football? Where does he get his knowledge from? TV and the media, and sometimes they get it wrong. Because one of the experts has said so and so, Mr Average thinks that is gospel." With 50 years' experience, this expert certainly knows his stuff and what makes a good umpire. "There are two things which work together," said Brian. . "You must have a knowledge of the laws and good communication with players if you have got a difficult situation, with a few words you can explain why something is being done." Nick Cousins, the ECB ACA education manager, made the presentation to Brian and read the citation, which described him as "an English gentleman in the classic sense" and a "traditionalist" who adapted well when the ECB ACA replaced the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers last year, adding that his "contribution is truly unique".
It’s official…Huxtable has ref potential
writes Mark Jenkin North Devon Journal Thursday 6th August 2009
ONE of North Devon's best referees can look forward to life in the Coca-Cola League this season. Brett Huxtable has been promoted to the level three national list, meaning he can act as an assistant referee or a fourth official in the Championship. Visits to clubs such as Plymouth Argyle, Bristol City and Cardiff City could be on the cards for the Torrington official. Huxtable, who doesn't turn 25 until next month, will start the season on fourth official duty at Torquay United against Chesterfield in League Two on Saturday. Last year, his performances as a referee in Blue Square South and linesman in Blue Square Premier impressed host clubs and assessors alike. From a group of 425 referees at his level across the country, Huxtable finished 35th, both for marks awarded by clubs and assessors. He was also rated 72nd out of 425 for his displays running the line. "I'm over the moon" said Huxtable who admits he never dreamed of getting this far when he started out at local level as a teenager. "Because of my marks I've been chosen for the development group of 28 referees in the country. "They think we have got the potential to be the next bunch to get to level two. "Being put in the development group is a big commitment because they expect more of you as a referee." Huxtable is the only official from Devon or Cornwall selected for the group and will have greater access to coaching and face extra assessments. He will now be in contact with his coach, former League referee Phil Prosser of Gloucester, up to five times a week. . As a Football League official he will also take advantage of new technology being used at the highest levels of the game. Following the Barclays Premier League, each Football League official will be provided with £4,000 radio links to help communication with each other during games. Huxtable's consistency during the 2008/09 campaign made his breakthrough season a memorable one. "1 refereed. Bristol Rovers against Liverpool in the fourth round proper of the FA Youth Cup live on TV;" he said. "That was probably one of the best games I did last season." . Screened live from Bristol on Liverpool FC TV; the Reds came through a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. Given the extra travelling required, promotion to the level three national list is an even bigger achievement for referees from the South West. Huxtable joins Hatherleigh official Andy Bennett from North Devon, while only six referees from Devon and Cornwall are on the current list. The route to promotion hasn't been totally straightforward however. He initially failed the vigorous fitness test designed to replicate the sharp sprints done by assistant referees. Six 40-metre sprints, each in six seconds, were followed by 10 laps of a running track, including two 150-metre sprints per lap to be done in 30 seconds or less. "It's a nice feeling now to think I can go out training and running without worrying about having to pass the fitness test," he said . As well as officiating in the Football League, Huxtable will continue refereeing in the Toolstation League, Zamaretto Southern League and Blue Square South. After Saturday's visit to Plainmoor, he will also take charge of games at Weymouth and Newport County in the opening week.
Brett Huxtable reveals all!!
The following piece, about our own Brett Huxtable, (Pictured above) appeared in the North Devon Journal earlier last season (2008-09)
AS a Level Three referee, Brett Huxtable is one of North Devon's top match officials. This week, the Torrington referee is preparing for one of the biggest appointments of his short career. He will be on the line for the Blue Square Premier clash between Torquay and Oxford, live on Setanta, next Thursday. The 24-year-old is quick to point out how the support of the North Devon Referees Association has helped him rise up the ranks. He believes the regular meetings help to make officials aware of new law changes and guidelines. "Referees won't be consistent because refereeing is all about opinion," he said. "But if you go to the referee meetings, you learn about law changes so everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet." When he was 17, Brett was the victim of an assault during a local league game. The RA supported him during a tough time and helped him get back out in the middle. Now he is aiming for promotion to Level Two and to fulfil a long-held ambition of reaching the Football League. "The reason I have done so well is I've got a good coach from the Football Association. and because I had four years experience at Level Four. It's put me in good stead for Level Three and I'm more level headed and more relaxed about refereeing," he said.
Name: Brett Huxtable. Age: 24.
Day job: Builder.
Level: Second season at Level Three. Includes refereeing in the Western League, Southern League and Conference South and assistant refereeing in the Blue Square Premier, and Football League and Premier League reserve games.
Honours: Referee for Devon Premier Cup final 2006 and a Sunday League Cup final. Also fourth official for this year's Devon St Luke's Cup final between Willand Rovers and Dawlish Town.
What got you into refereeing: Every young boy wants to play football in the Football League. But when I was 15, I was told by Nigel Cockwill that if I took up refereeing I could get to the Football League.
Professional referee you model your game on: Pierluigi Collina or Howard Webb. I would say Graham Poll, but I've never given three yellow cards to the same player!
Favourite' games you've refereed: Plymouth Argyle reserves v Cheltenham Town reserves. It was a Level Two game and I stepped in at the last minute because Andy Bennett couldn't do it. Also Yeovil Town v Coventry City in the FA Youth Cup at Huish Park. As an assistant it would be Weymouth v Hitchin in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round.
Most disappointing game you've refereed: Holsworthy v Appledore over the Christmas period one year. I don't know If it was my fault or the players', but it was a nightmare. I sent someone off and cautioned loads of players. My name was all over the back page of the North Devon Journal.
Funny moments in football: I remember running backwards down the hill at Holsworthy and falling over. I'm quite a big bloke and it was raining and muddy, so I got quite a bit of stick for that. Also, I was on the line for a Conference game at Weymouth the other week. When I was doing the studs and jewellery check, Stephen Reed, from Torrington, kept pulling at my shorts. He didn't actually pull them down though. (Reid, a former Yeovil Town and Torquay United player now with Weymouth, used to be in the same class as Brett at school).
Best thing about your game: I like to play the advantage a lot. Also my man management - it has taken six years to get good at it, but now, because I've got more experience, I can read the game better. My man management skills are a lot better so I don't caution or send off players unless I absolutely have to. If you can finish a game with 22 players on the field of play, you know you have done well.
Worst thing about your game: I probably talk too much during a game. Also my positioning on corners, I don't always stand in the right place.
Best referee you've worked with:Premiership referee Steve Dunn when I was about 16 and I ran the line for Tiverton Town against Yeovil Town in a friendly.
Best player you've refereed: Paul Wotton of Plymouth Argyle. Also I was on the line for Exeter City Legends against Manchester United Legends the other week and Denis lrwin was awesome.
Worst dressed referee in North Devon: Tony Cloak because he wears sandals with no socks and a suit. And he has refereed games wearing white boots that should never be allowed.
What would you change about the game: The offside law. Make it less complicated and more understandable for everyone.
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Benny Speaks!!
The following piece was taken from ‘Refworld.com’, the website of the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). A link to this site can be found on the related sites page.
Assistant Referee: Andrew Bennett
Location: Devon
How did you get introduced into refereeing? A referee who I used to play football with suggested refereeing to me as I was always getting injured playing football.
What skills do you think you need to become a assistant referee?
The piece below, about new qualified loacl referee Gary Suggate, appeared in the North Devon Journal on Thursday 8th January 2009Suggate takes a cautious approach to cautionsNorth Devon Journal
"I've probably been a bit lenient and I didn't give any bookings in the first three games. "There were a couple of players in the last chance saloon for a booking — one for moaning and one for fouls. Some referees might not have given them a last chance. I'm a bit of a soft touch at the moment — that will have to change I reckon. You've got to let them know who's boss!" Suggate's debut — the Journal League Intermediate Two clash between Buckland Brewer and Bradworthy — certainly gave him some early problems to sort out. Both teams turned up in blue kits and Buckland had to quickly find an alternative strip before the game could go ahead. When the match did kick-off, Suggate soon had to halt proceedings after an injury to Bradworthy goalkeeper Steve Jenkins. "I had to stop the game after just three minutes because he got studded accidently and had a hole in his knee," said Suggate. Fortunately for Bradworthy, regular goalie Chaz Balsdon was named on the substitutes' bench — albeit with a nasty festive hangover. Since then Suggate has taken charge of the Sunday League clash between Wrey Arms and Yam Yamz and the Intermediate Two game between Chittlehampton and Pilton. "It's like learning to drive really," added the budding match official. "The first couple of games I was quite nervous but I enjoyed it more in the third one and I'm actually looking forward to the next one." Playing the advantage is one area that he has already found can cause problems though. "I like to keep the game going rather than blow up for free-kicks for a little push here or there," said Suggate. "But players are their own worst enemy because if you let the game go, you get more players moaning that it should have been a free-kick. "If you're not sure, you're better off blowing up and giving a free-kick — which I didn't really want to do." Having started by taking charge of a couple youth-team games, Suggate soon noticed the contrast with the more physical adult game. "With the kids, they are genuinely looking for the ball and there's no malice at all. It's when they get older and they become stronger, they foul more," he said. "But to me, some refs have taken the art of tackling from the game and I don't want to do that." As a trainee referee, Suggate can take charge of games in Journal Intermediate One, Intermediate Two, the Kingsley League and the Sunday League. This week his education continues when Torridgeside Reserves take on Northam Lions Thirds at Donnacroft.
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Former local referee tragically dies in fire
JACK REES, a former referee and well known figure on the North Devon and North Cornwall football scene, has died at the age of 91. He died in a fire at his home in Whitstone near Holsworthy on November 5. Mr Rees was well known in North Devon and North Cornwall, having been a referee in the 1950s and 1960s. Once he hung up his boots he became a referees' assessor and was chairman of the Kingsley League for more than 30 years. His interest in football saw him become a director of Bideford Football Club for a number of years as well as Holsworthy FC. He also oversaw the successful Lions Club Young Football Competition and was honoured to be national president of the competition committee for many years. Ken Turner, secretary of the Kingsley League, said Mr Rees was passionate about football and the Kingsley League. "As chairman he recruited me about 20 years ago as secretary. He was a very good chairman, very strict at meetings, but very fair." At one time the Kingsley League teams used to play for a cup donated by Mr Rees. He also sponsored the Kingsley Youth League.
DCFA concerned about quality of report writing
Adam Hopkins, Referees Development Officer DCFA has circulated the following to all referees in Devon
Following discussions with the discipline department and upon reviewing several misconduct and caution forms it is clear that the standard of report writing has fallen and in some cases is completely unacceptable. Whilst the majority of referees submit their reports on time and ensure they are of a high standard, there is a minority who seem to persistently send in, incomplete forms or simply fill them out incorrectly. The problems which regularly arise are; Incorrectly spelt names of players No Caution Codes No FAN or FAMOA Number Incorrect match date Entering the score of the fixture instead of 1st team/2nd team playing No Referee details, including no name at times Wrong team for the player who has been cautioned/sent off Name of competition details incorrect for example, Peninsula, instead of South West Peninsula League Division One East
Other problems occurring for standard misconduct reports;
Lack of detail within the report, some of these have gone to appeal and have been lost due to lack of information Incorrect sending off code as detailed on the form Inability to read writing on reports written – please print handwriting
After receiving reports with the above mistakes, clubs contact the DCFA to complain about the standard of these reports. This not only creates further unnecessary work for the Discipline Department but it reflects badly on the County Referees. Whilst we appreciate it is not all referees who continually make mistakes we feel this information would be useful for everyone. We also appreciate the lack of training for referees around this subject and will be looking to rectify this through RA’s and local training events. If anyone would like individual support regarding report writing please contact one of the following; Adam.hopkins@devonfa.com or Richard.pallot@devonfa.com
North Devon Journal league Changing facilities Referees are reminded that, as from this new season 2009/10, all clubs in the North Devon Journal League MUST provide a separate changing room for the referee which must also include washing facilities. Should any referee visit a ground and feel that the changing facilities do not meet this basic criteria are asked to let the League secretary Mick Tattersall know. Mick can be contacted by email at: secretary@northdevonleague.co.uk
Special offer from the County FA
Devon County FA in conjunction with Umbro are bringing you this special offer!!! Every Registered referee who recommends someone to take the Basic Referees Course will be rewarded with £15 worth of Umbro clothing of your choice. This offer applies to each candidate nominated, so if you nominate 2 then you would get £30 worth, if you nominate 3 you get £45 worth and so on…. The candidate will have to complete the Basic Course and complete 6 matches as part of the course. The top 4 referees who make recommendations will also receive a ticket each to watch a selected England match at Wembley.
So, if you know someone who could become the next Howard Webb, why not pass on the course details?
If you recommend someone then please contact county referees development officer Adam Hopkins
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Wait and see is key to getting it right
Mark Jenkin North Devon Journal Thursday 17th December 2009
A LATE flag from the assistant referee can drive players, managers and spectators crazy. "How late was that lino?" is a familiar rant from the sidelines at all levels of the game. Yet with today's complicated offside law, officials have much more to consider than whether a player is simply standing offside. In judging if someone is interfering with play; it may take a split-second longer to make the correct call. Football League official Andy Bennett explained that assistants are constantly advised to "wait and see" . He said: "The problem is a lot of spectators think because a player is stood in an offside position, he's offside - that's not the way anymore. "There's nothing worse than putting the flag up early and it's the wrong decision. "It can be annoying for players if you wait, but as long as you don't wait too long, it means you make the correct decision. It's all aimed at making more goals and more entertainment." The Hatherleigh official, now in his fourth season in the League, receives regular advice from coaches and mentors. "You get told as a linesman all the time: 'wait and see, wait and see' - apart from the two obvious ones," he said. Assistants are still told to flag instantly for a clear offside where no other player is involved, or when a collision could occur. The perils of an early flag were witnessed at first hand by Bennett when he refereed Barnstaple Town against Bideford in April 2004. Kevin Squire, playing for Barnstaple at the time, was jogging back from an offside position when the ball was played over the top. Although the striker made no attempt to play the ball, two Barum midfielders broke from their own half while Bideford stopped after the flag was raised. "The linesman's flag went up then back down again quickly when he realised his mistake," said Bennett. "All hell broke loose from that." Play was allowed to continue and the equaliser was a major dent to Bideford's' Western League title hopes. "You see inexperienced guys and bang, the flag goes up straightaway," he added. "You see the top linesmen in the Premier League and they always seem to have that extra bit of time. "That split second, the more experience you get, the longer it becomes in your head." Bennett's own decision-making is becoming sharper with experience. Not that the job will ever be easy. "You're watching the ball in and out of play; you're trying to watch for fouls and you're watching the line," he said. "So you're watching three different things at once and you've only got two eyes." Interpretation of the laws by different individuals will always lead to inconsistencies. And there are certain situations that are always more difficult for an assistant to judge. "The real awkward one is when a player has a shot from distance," said Bennett. "How do you know if someone is interfering or not? You don't. "AS a linesman, all you can tell is whether he is in an offside position or not. You need the referee to decide if he is interfering. That's where you need to have good team work. "We're lucky in the Football League now that we have got ear pieces so you can actually talk to the referee during the game. "It's more difficult for the linesmen as you go down the leagues." . Better knowledge of the laws from players and fans would certainly help. This season Bennett has already had the captain of a Blue Square Premier side demanding an offside flag - from a throw-in "He was playing at that level and he didn't know the laws to me that's astonishing," said Bennett.
The two following pieces were written by Mark Jenkin and appeared in the December 3rd issue of the North Devon Journal
Former Refs are picking up the whistle
THE EMERGENCE of several new recruits has boosted the refereeing ranks in North Devon. But it is not just young match officials who have taken advantage of the recent course hosted by training officer Andy Walter. Three former referees have retaken their exams and returned to the fold. Ian Hart, Andy Woolf and Julian Turner are all back in the middle, adding valuable experience to the local scene. For Hart, a few years away only made him realise what he was missing. He said: "I gave up about three or four years ago because I got fed up. I was working on Saturdays as well then, so that made it a bit difficult. "I'm 57 now and I first took the referee's course when I was 20. "When I finished, that was it. I never watched any local games and I'm not really interested in helping at a club or going into football administration. "I played a bit of golf and after a while I thought 'I want a bit more'. "I read an article about the shortage of referees and I thought why not go back out for a last hurrah?" The Westward Ho! official has kept himself fit with regular swimming sessions and he is glad to be back on the North Devon football circuit. "Since I've been back refereeing, I've done seven or eight games and I've really enjoyed everyone of them," he said. "I've had Boca Seniors a couple of times and Shamwickshire and you get back into it - you're drawn right back in. "I was down at Bridgerule the other week and I enjoyed it down there. I like it out in the country and it's nice to see people from football you've known over the years. "Refereeing is easy; it's the players that make it difficult. "There are good clubs and bad clubs but the majority of clubs are good and the people who run football are good." The Football Association insist any referee not registered for the last two years must retake the course. Hart admitted he found the exam "rather daunting". Part of the theory test involved watching video clips of games and making a decision under time constraints. Knowing the theory is important but Hart believes there is no substitute for getting out on the pitch and learning as you go. "I'm not saying I don't make mistakes - I make plenty of them," he said. "I had a lot of help when I started off and I like to think it's the same now. "Refereeing now, for anybody starting at a young age, the structure is there and there's help along the way. "If you're going through a bad time, the support is there. "There are some really good younger referees coming along but you can't expose them too quickly; you've got to give them time." Hart believes the return of experienced referees can only strengthen grassroots football, particularly when the best younger officials like Andy Bennett and Brett Huxtable soon find themselves promoted to higher levels. In the 1970s and '80s, he served as a linesman on the Western League. "I started refereeing in 1972," he said. "Back then we had a good social life too. We would all go out as a group and all the wives would go out together. "You would get back from various parts of the county and we all used to congregate in the Royal Mail in Bideford and cry on each other's shoulders!"
Stevens’ learning curve
NEWLY-qualified referee Andy Stevens says the course has helped him learn more about the game. A Western League footballer for many years, Stevens is recovering from the badly broken leg he suffered playing for Ilfracombe Town last season. While he hopes to make a playing comeback, the 39-year-old is glad to be active again on a Saturday afternoon., He said: "I'm staying involved wi1ih the game - just in a slightly different capacity. It's something new, a different experience. "All of a sudden you have got a decision to make, you've got a few players shouting and you've got to get it right. "When I was playing, sometimes a free-kick would be given and I would think 'that's never a free-kick', but when you read the laws you can see why they are given." . Three games into his refereeing experience, Stevens has been learning his trade in Journal League Intermediate Two. At present, he is not sure whether refereeing will be a long-term choice. "Obviously I'm still looking to play if I can," he added. "When (the injury) happened I thought, I'm not ready to give up yet. "I'm hoping to have the plate and screws out next May and if everything is all right, then I might have a go at it." As well as breaking his leg in February, Stevens also snapped ligaments and damaged tendons. The injury kept the self-employed builder off work for four-and-a-half months but he has recently started exercises to strengthen his leg again. "I put quite a bit of weight on but since I've been back at work it's just fallen off," he said. "I've done a little bit of football training with Torridgeside and it's gone quite well. "I've done plenty of ball work and done the doggies, it's just maintaining it over a period of time. It's does ache afterwards for a couple of days."
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