FROM THE OFFICE

Greetings to one and all                                                                     February 2010

My apologies to each and everyone for not updating my supposedly regular column for a few months. However, I’ve been extremely busy doing this and that for you all and too be fair have not had a chance to update it.

However, I’m here now, mainly due to the fact our football has been decimated by the Noah like conditions, besides the snow and frost that has been with us since before Christmas.

I am, believe it not completely up t date with my paperwork, a good thing because as it is the end of February, it is time to compile, collate and send marks to the FA and various county FA’s.

No doubt this will not be for long with the amount of fixtures that will be added not only to the list in March, but also April. It is intended to finish the Premier and Division One by the last Saturday in April, but this was before the wipe-out this week, of both midweek and Saturday fixtures.

It is imperative therefore that you send me all your closed dates as and when they arrive. Do not let me know about closed dates, on the day I give you an additional appointment. It causes me hassle and with the extra games which are being put into the system, something I don’t need.

Also, please bear in mind that Easter is just around the corner. We will be having games on Easter Saturday, and Easter Monday. So if you intend egg hunting with the kids over that period, please let me know.

Some of you are becoming very lax with your referees result sheets, when really there is absolutely no excuse for them being as much as two weeks late. It is totally unacceptable and bear in mind; this does rate as a black mark with your correspondence. As you know correspondence is one of the criteria for promotion. Don’t let it cost you.

Although I mentioned it in the March bulletin, I’ll mention it again. If you wish as a match official to take a guest to the game, that is not a problem. However, all I ask is that you ask the club if they mind, and I can assure you they won’t. Please do not expect just to walk in with a guest and expect the club to wine and dine them. Courtesy costs absolutely nothing.

For those of you that missed the last Association meeting, held at Crawley Green, I can assure you all that you missed a terrific night. I’ve seen many a guest speaker in my time, but Steve Dunn is certainly one of the best. Looking around the room whilst he was doing his bit was a pleasure. Everyone was enthralled by his input and all of us learned something that night.

The final meeting of the season will be in May and already a guest speaker has been lined up. This meeting also acts as the AGM, with plenty of awards on offer, so I’d make sure you are there and don’t miss out on what will be another good night.


A black week in the Ewen household with Pompey going into administration and being the first Premier League club to do so. I’ve often wondered where all the money has gone, but like all other true blues, we’ll never know. It looks odds on we will go down now, which will please the Carman’s of this world and all the other scummers (Southampton supporters for the uninitiated) who are probably laughing in their beer as I write. If they are, be careful you don’t choke on it!

Nevertheless, like a good wine, we will mature and hopefully be better for it. I remember standing on the terraces in the old Division Four and unless we get a grip, I can see us in general freefall which will further break my already broken heart!!!

I’m off to Austria for four days in March on the lash, so I’ll be able to drown my sorrows on the edge of some remote mountain out there. Laptop and mobile in one hand and a pint of good beer in the other. That should cheer me up then!!

Finally, as you are aware, Feb 28th see’s the end of the marking season for all referees. All your marks will be available to everyone by the first weekend in March. All the level 4’s will be emailed their bandings for the season and for everyone else, if you wish to have your marks, please email me.

Regards to one and all.

Mick

Mick Ewen
56 Milton Avenue
Hornchurch
Essex
RM1 2BW
07939.879.295
Email Mick Ewen

Below you will find links to previous messages from Mick