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
