# Association Football and How to Play It/Chapter 8

CHAPTER VIII.
The Referee.
In one way the most important man on the field is the referee, as the success of the game depends a great deal on his ability to control the play and players adequately. He is commonly known as the "Knight of the Whistle," and his responsibilities are manifold. To be a successful referee one must keep thoroughly fit, and be able to turn out on to the field in as good a condition as the player does, for he has got to go through more running than any of the twenty-two players, and must keep up with their pace. Like Caesar's wife, he should be above suspicion, and give his decisions without fear or favour. It is the weak referee that often spoils a game and brings football into disgrace.
Refereeing in a first class match is much easier than taking the whistle in what we might call junior ones. In senior circles players know the game from "A" to "Z," and play accordingly; but often a referee has to use more judgment than if he were officiating for the English Cup at the Crystal Palace. However, this is only by the way, and I must dwell upon the senior referee more ​than the junior. In brief, my ideal referee must have the following qualifications:—
* A thorough knowledge of the rules of the game.
* Be strong minded enough to enforce his decisions when once they are given.
* He should have been a player himself, and still be as active as ever on the field.
* He must be an autocrat. (If necessary, the F.A. will support him to the fullest extent possible.)
Really the duties of a referee are manifold. He has full control of the play, and must use a great amount of tact, for if he does not, he not only spoils the game but his own reputation. He should be quick in giving his decisions, and must adhere to them, despite the grumblings and comments of the players or spectators. The professional footballer of to-day is very quick in weighing up the referee. He knows in his heart whether he can do as he likes or if the referee is to be obeyed. Supposing the man with the whistle is weak, no one knows better than the players, and again, if he is strong, they know they can take no liberties during the course of the game. In ordinary games the referee must be strong and have no connection with the clubs engaged. The most able referees that I have played under or witnessed were men who were slow to speak, but when occasion arose were quick to act. As a matter of fact, they have simply to say "Do this," and it is done; and there is trouble for anyone who endeavours to dispute their ​ruling. The greatest referee may make mistakes. Still, he must maintain the dignity of his decisions when once given. In many ways a referee is born and not made, and all the best referees are those who have played the game when they were young, and have followed it up continually since leaving off, actually taking part in the kicking of the ball. Their hearts are in the game, and this makes all the difference, to a great degree, whether they are successful or not. In senior circles referees are supposed to be unbiased, which I am glad to say in the general run of cases they are. The crowd of the home side are naturally in favour of their friends, and the referee has often to put up with any amount of comment and ridicule. It is then that he should show his character and worth by distributing the law of the game as it ought to be done in all honesty and fairness.
Probably it may be considered vanity on my part to give the would-be referee a few ideas from a player's point of view. A referee should, if possible, know each man by name and the position he occupies in the field, so that if a reprimand is necessary he can say, "Jones or MacPherson, stop that!" A little phrase like that goes a very long way, and I may attribute the secret of some of our referees' success to knowing the names of the players they are refereeing, and so being able to call them personally to order when necessary.
The relation of the referee to the linesmen is a very great question, and whether he should be persuaded by the two men on the line has often been discussed both on and off the field. To sum it up ​briefly, my opinion is that a referee should act upon his own discretion, but when in doubt should consult his linesmen. If he gives a decision on the spur of the moment when he is certain he is quite correct, he must not be persuaded by the opposition one way or the other. Still, when he is in doubt he should certainly appeal to the linesmen, and the referee who does not do so is bound to get into bad odour. The linesman is closely connected with the referee in every way, although his duties are not really arduous. In reality, he has simply to follow the ball up the field, give his decision as to whether the sphere has gone over the lines, and to say which side should have the benefit, and whether a corner kick should be given or not.
Of recent years the penalty kick has often been a great trouble to the referee, and should a man be forgiven for overlooking a certain foul it must be decided by the opinion of the man on the line. The penalty kick is probably the most difficult point the referee of to-day has to deal with, and he should give it instantly with the courage of his convictions, and even if the decisions of his linesmen are different. Quickness and decision are what is really wanted in a referee.
Just a word or two to the spectators. They should not judge quickly or harshly, and should always recognise that; it is one man that must decide, rightly or wrongly. They must not overlook the fact that he has got to do so on the spur of the moment, and that he has no time for reflection. Whilst dwelling on the subject of referees, it is a matter of regret that many players do not take any ​interest in junior circles, where their personality would command respect. The boy of to-day, knowing that a certain International is going to officiate in the game he is taking part in, will play much better than if Tom, Dick, or Harry had the control, a fact which proves for itself that personality is a great thing in the "Knight of the Whistle." John Lewis, of Blackburn, has been crowned King of Referees, and undoubtedly this was greatly due to his personality on the field. The player knew he could take no liberties whatever, and when a warning was once given it was given so that the player was sure that his next act of disobedience would ensure for him his marching order off the field, and that later he would be dealt with by the F.A. Mr. Lewis always let the player know when he had gone too far in any way, and afterwards it was for a player to see that it did not occur again. It is a pity that more first-class players, when they have finished their playing career, do not follow it up by becoming referees. Referees of the class of Major Marindin, J. C. Clegg, J. J. Bentley, and many others, are badly wanted in the football of to-day. I might appeal to the older players to take a greater interest in the beginners than they are doing at the present time. They should remember the days when they were young and the interest taken in them by their elders, who used to go out of their way to encourage them in their sport, and endeavour to do to-day what was done for them years ago. Junior referees are badly wanted, especially men of a reputation that is well respected. I, even in my little way, refereeing ​last year, found my name and fame as a Cup-holder and International was a great recommendation, and called for the respect that is really due to worthy officials. If this appeals to any player it is easy for him to become a referee by applying to his local association. The biggest bugbear that the referee has to contend with is the penalty and off-side restrictions. To the uninitiated the offside rule appears quite simple, but to the referee it is the most difficult problem he has got to overcome during the course of the day. His eye is always on the ball, and whilst following it up quickly he is naturally inclined to miss some point which appeals to the onlookers, every one of whom considers himself a critic. The penalty kick plays an important part in the game of to-day, and this particular point requires instant decision, consequently the referee needs to be a man with good judgment, and one who is not to be deterred by criticism, whether it be by players, spectators, or directors.