Junior referees are getting worse by the week.
The guys in the black do do a thankless task and they will always be subject to some sort of abuse but ... God !! Honestly....
The petty 50/50 and challenges are so easily thrown in the book. I dnt think they have been taught to try let a game flow. Junior referees are absolute control freaks!!
Or is it maybe just my experience with neilston this season??

I felt the same way as you did - so I went and done the course.

Every game I watch, I still can't believe how many fouls they give that I wouldn't. Same with cards too.

It's a horrible job at times, although once you get into it can be just as enjoyable all the same.

Exactly, i common sense approach would work so much better rather than following the book stricty. Too many "young" junior referees are trying to make a name for themselves and its the players,club and fans that suffer.

Spot on. Too many trying to fly up the refereeing ladder just now and most are coming across as unapproachable little hitlers.

A perfect example was Saturday where the ref sent off 2 bo'ness & 1 Bonnyrigg player for backchat. The needless sending-off of the Bonnyrigg player at the start set the tone and the game was ruined by the half-wit official.

It's quite sad really. Going on a power trip at junior games.

Hope he never gets anywhere near a senior game.

Totally agree m8. Seems to me that junior refs are seeing more and more of their colleagues getting promoted and are following the letter of the law in a bid to join them in the seniors. Some good games in recent seasons have been totally spoiled by the man in black. In saying that our ref on Saturday (Ross Haswell) had a pretty decent game. In fact the only fault he had if any was his determination not to show any cards.

Your manager has made some pretty appalling statements about Ross Haswell to the press over the past year or so.

I think ross is actually one of the better Refs and actualyl a nice guy. The state of Refereeing is very poor and has been for about a season and a half. Theres too many refs trying to be the next big thing, instead of concentrating on the game and the circumstances there currently in.

I personally don't rate Haswell to be honest but he did have a decent game on Saturday. There's a feeling among some fans that Ross is a Meadow fan but if he is then it seems to work against us rather than for us. I don't think for one minute he has ever cheated us but perhaps he tries too hard to appear neutral. Just a thought Jamie and in no way meant to be a criticism or indeed to be taken as gospel.

Surely, it'll be obvious when a ref will take 'backchat' or not. Being red-carded for that particular offence is down to lack of discipline on the player's side.

any player can avoid a red card
for swearing at the ref easily, dont do it

Exactly, a Vale of Clyde player got 2 yellow's, both for dissent on Saturday.
Probably cost his team a point.
The manager must have been fuming.

Jambo you have got that wrong there. I hope he does go senior this season then hopefully we will never have to see the cock that is Stevie Allen ever again

Willie Collum was "fast tracked" through the junior system into the seniors by two prominent
referees - thats a fact - and I never considered him to be a good referee. I saw his performance
in a Scottish Cup game, Cambuslang Rangers v Lanark, when he awarded a penalty kick from half way up the park,when his assistant was better placed and had not indicated a spot kick.

How this guy became the youngest ever to make the FIFA list beggars belief.

On reflection, you're right. Unfortunately, i'm sure he's set to ruin more games for us both this season.

I hope the hatred of Stevie Allen is the only thing i have in common with a beggar!!!