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
