SFA must smash old boys’ club to hire ex-pro refs
Here’s a nod to the copyright-holder of the following wisecrack – it was first heard being delivered by Willie Young at a sports’ dinner.
The former ref tells how injury as a youngster in Ayrshire robbed him of a promising footballing career.
It prompted his decision to become the man in the middle with the words: ‘ If I couldn’t enjoy it, why should anyone else?’
What’s unusual about his pathway to picking up the whistle is you genuinely believe he could have been a talent – not last pick for the playground kick- about, which is normally par for the course.
It’s the primary reason why we have sub- standard officials bringing our game into disrepute with awful performances week after week.
This season has been as bad as ever and the arrival of VAR has only shone a light on how out of the i r dept h some officials appear to be.
An inf lux of former profe s siona l p layer s , encouraged to become referees and fast-tracked up the ranks, is what’s required but don’t hold your breath.
Closed-shop syndrome, a fear of losing a slice of their hugely-lucrative cake, means that recruitment drive won’t be launched any time soon.
It will be denied of course but, like so many sporting associations, politics and the old boys’ club are rife in refereeing circles.
Promotion can be down to the family tree rather than ability to apply the offside rule.
Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin is always worth listening to and last week threw his weight behind ex-footballers being asked to advise on VAR decisions.
Goodwin’s diplomatic phrasing was to of fer a “footballer’s perspective”.
It wouldn’t be a stab in the dark to suggest that Willie Collum or Kevin Clancy have never won a 50- 50 bone cruncher or left a foot in.
Barry Cook is another exception to the rule, a former Queen’s Park teammate who chose to become a man in black and, in truth, he did the right thing.
He made the call early as it ’s not practical for a 30- something to start that journey.
So if the SFA are to follow through on options to improve decision-making then enticing players into the refereeing fraternity is a must. There is a scrapheap full of ex-pros who would love to remain in the game and provide a lived experience of the Scottish game. Whether that’s sitting in the VAR side-saddle or being shunted up the grades to take charge of the big games.
It’s a fact that people who’ve played the game to a high standard have better knowledge of the nuances of certain borderline incidents than a whistler who’s never known the heat of the battle.
SFA chief Crawford Allan wants to make our game better by improving VAR’s decision making.
It would be loathed by many current referees but if he brings in expertise from people who have been there and done it then it’ll be a clear sign he means business.
It’s bad decisions, not the likes of Willie Young, that are spoiling our game.
The old boys’ club is rife in refereeing circles