We will publish your letters on this page regularly,
complete with comments from Jeff.
So why not write in and let us know what you are thinking
about the goings on at Boro, Darlington and Hartlepool. We'll
get your letter on the site as soon as we can.
Obviously, no-one wants football to go the way of Rugby Union with 5 minutes of play
followed by the ref pulling it back to give a free kick where no advantage was given,
but what is the actual ruling on advantage?
A couple of seasons back. JJ Okacha was awarded a penalty after beating a few
players whilst being fouled, staying on his feet then geting in a rubbish cross as
he'd been kicked. I thought this was a brilliant decision as if he'd fallen over, it would have been a
straight penalty. He didn't but was still fouled, no advantage... therefore
penalty.
Neil Warnock went ape when Liverpool were awarded a pen when Fowler jumped the
defender then stumbled (dived?). But had Fowler tripped over the defender, it would have been a
clear penalty. That he tried to jump the foul, then attempt a shot...
Anyways, there are instances of commentators saying a player was "too honest" - if
more referees gave fouls when players stayed on their feet, perhaps more players
would try and stay upright (ha, likely chance).
Still, I've rambled on, what does the rule book say, and what is your opinion?
Cheers, Phill
Jeff's reply
I think how you describe the JJ situation is brilliant.
The trouble is that the so-called "experts"/commentators would probably still criticise whatever
the ref did.
You are right though - a player should not lose out just because he
plays on.
From a refereeing point of view, there is nothing better than playing
a good advantage where the ball ends up in the back of the net, but he must have
the courage to give the penalty if the advantage does not immediately accrue.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Kevin, 29th June 2009
Hello.
Well I have read with interest yours and others views and comments on
the various notorious refereeing decsions to foul our wonderful game once
again.
From my own personal point of view, I
have been watching football from the terraces, stands and TV since the
1960s and in my opinion, the standard of refereeing the world over in
general, but in the UK in particular, is woefully short of adequate.
I will agree that some rule changes have been for the better but most are idiotic or
unneccessary, and have made life for the officials harder than it really needs to
be. This issue needs to be addressed by the authorities.
Whilst people
the ilk of Platini and Blatter run our game this will not happen.
But all of
this aside, when I attend a match or even watch live or highlights on TV, one
fact that cannot be denied is how poor the decision making has become.
Why official after official feels that the show is about them I cannot fathom but
it is a fact now that the actual football we are watching is now being
affected by the officials and this is wrong.
Too many of you are so quick to
interrupt the flow (what flow?) of the match that only sometimes it manages
to get going. This is what I hate about our game now, the officials are too
involved.
You are there to officiate and keep order - and prevent the football
from degenerating into a brawl - but the days of football being pure
entertainment are over and that's because you lot have forgotten how to ref
within the spirit of the game.
There are very few players in the history of
the game that have ever gone out to seriously cause harm to another yet the
way some refs react, you'd think that every challenge was life threatening.
So for this reason I believe that the game is now poor viewing overall.
That's my opinion and it's the opinion of most people that I meet and discuss this
with.
We are fed up of the officials' mentality and arrogance basically.
We might remember that you are human when you lot start to admit you make
mistakes and correct obvious errors (red/yellow cards,dodgy pens etc). You
treat US with more respect and WE will return the compliment.
Jeff's reply
Well that's me told. In many ways I actually agree.
However, the fault lies
initially with those who control the refs. Bad management has led to a lack
of confidence.
The big clubs have too much power and the authorities are
scared of them and fail to support their officials. In turn, this leads to a
lack of confidence.
I concur, things need to change. Will they? I doubt it.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Admiral Awesome, 28th June 2009
Hi Jeff
I agree with you about the lower league clubs maybe not having the
finance in place to impliment video referee technology.
However, the technology is already in place at most
clubs. I'm sure you're aware
that all Premier League games are broadcast live somewhere in the world, be it
on the net or on foreign satellite channels.
This being the case shows that every game in the Premier League is under the
watching eye of many fans globally.
The same goes with Championship clubs as again most of them have cameras
recording all the games for archiving etc.
My proposal would be as simple as having a direct feed to the technical area
currently occupied by the fourth official. This would allow him to see the action as it takes place by simply playing back an
incident to get a correct decision.
I'm not suggesting that every throw-in, goal-kick or corner be contested but
decisions regarding serious matters where
everybody can see the referee has got it wrong should be looked at.
This would not be a
difficult task Jeff by any means and would
ensure justice is done rather than resting on the old clichès of swings and
roundabouts etc.
Jeff's reply
You are putting your universally popular theory to the wrong person,
as it is the authorities who point blank refuse to consider any form of
video refereeing.
It is getting harder and harder to defend their stance,
but I still don’t think that it is quite as simplistic and foolproof as the
fans imagine.
Most certainly a fourth official in the technical area surrounded
by baying managers would not be the place to do it.
We are having our views but better referees, better discipline and less
cheating from players would go a long way to at least improving the
situation.
However, it would not completely eradicate human error and opinion - so-called "experts" have greatly differing views depending on which
team they support.
I know this will not appease your valid comments but it could be worse - you
could follow Darlington and be facing up to not even have a team to support.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
Gareth, 27th June 2009
Hi Jeff
Last season, I coached an under 9's football team in South Wales. The kids
were great and really responsive to what we were trying to coach to them.
My assistant coach and I always stressed that at the level they were at, that it
is more important to pass, move, control, work hard for their team mates and
enjoy the game.
The only problem I found was that the South Wales
Football Association don't think enough of the kids to
A: Send a representative to watch any of the games for just 2 hours a
week.
B: Send any referees to ref a game!
C: Spend enough time with fixture lists as we had a league with 10-12 teams
in (non competitive league, no cup is won) so we played the same 5 teams for most
of the season!
As a consequence, other teams (involving parents and coaches who, at under 9's level,
feel it is more important to win at all costs even though there is nothing
to win!) would ref the matches themselves and cheat 7, 8 and 9 year old
children of a result.
What is your view on developing talent at a young age?
In South Wales, Cardiff rip parents off by taking kids to the acadamy
and selling them products the kids "must have" to train with them, Swansea are
too skint to bring anyone through and the Welsh League is too much of a joke
in anyone's mind!
The enjoyment of seeing the kids perform at a level they were not even close
to at the beginning of the season gave me great satisfaction and the results
were never important to me - even though the kids would win 85% of their
games.
But how can I tell to an 8-9 year old child who has just been
cheated of a goal or a win that the way he is playing is the right way?
I would just like to hear your opinion on the development of football in
Britain, not just Wales.
Cheers
Gareth
Jeff's reply
First of all Gareth, congratulations on what you are doing. Keep up
the good work.
I agree totally with the non-trophy winning format of games
at that level. In fact, I would increase it to cover football up to the age
of 16.
Too many coaches think they are Fergie and it's win at all costs. It
should be about enjoyment and learning to play. Ban offsides as well and let
the kids enjoy their football.
Some of the millions that are in the Premier League should be filtered down
through football.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
Simon Trober, 26th June 2009
What are you and other refs actively doing to get the correct decision in
the first place?
Surely, the referees association/union or pressure group should be doing
everything it can to stop you getting the blame and making your life easier?
Or is controversy good for refs as well as the media?
Are you campaigning FIFA, UEFA, The FA to get video evidence accepted during
or after the game? Are you asking for more refs on the field? Are you asking
for changes in laws to make your job easier? More technology?
I am asking about tangible requests for law changes not 'make referees
better' or 'make referees fitter' or 'give refs more money' or 'stop
managers watching bad decisions on TV, it only makes them worse!'
Are refs urging for the new white spray? Goal line technology? Video
technology during and after the game? Being mike'd up? Sin bins?
How much pressure can you put on the authorities of the game?
Refs have the ultimate power in the game and should use it. Without them the
game doesn't go on.
Jeff's reply
I am doing nothing Simon, as I am no longer refereeing and don't
have anything to do with the refereeing bodies!!
Refs have power on the pitch but very little say off it. The authorities
should be stronger with those who step out of line, which would make the refs'
jobs easier.
I personally would like to see sin-bins but many other ideas bandied about are
just too gimmicky and not practical.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
Jules, 25th June 2009
Jeff, I thought you were a pretty good ref - as much as any football
fan can admit to appreciating a ref (unless you support Man U and are
thus always thankful for the twelfth man).
However, I cannot get my head around this whole league of yours. I'm
not saying that your reasons for certain conclusions were wrong or the
final results were wrong or, like many others suggest, you "cheated". Why
would you?
I just think the whole idea is flawed. If a player is wrongly
sent off in the first half or an early goal that should not have stood is
allowed - then surely the entire rest of the game, and every decision thereafter,
is null and void, as a match changing decision makes the outcome of the
rest of the match impossible to predict.
I don't disagree with your league's outcome - I just think the whole
thing doesn't work.
You may as well just list the teams in any random order you choose. I certainly wouldn't bother getting upset and insulting you
about your final standings - I just think you spent a lot of time achieving
nothing.
Sorry.
Jeff's reply
Of course you are correct - we will never know what may or may not
happen in a game.
The whole idea was just for me to offer an opinion on
match incidents and to see just how much these incidents in isolation
chnaged the eventual League table. It's a bit of fun.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
Adam, 24 June 2009
Hi Jeff
You are a legend. I was always a big fan of you and was always very
happy when I saw that you were going to ref any Spurs game.
Anyway, enough
of those plums on the LOI comments, I accept your informed decisions.
It's nice to see Spurs finished higher than they could have done if big decisions
went the other way. Any fan whose club finished lower in the LOI should be
pleased, the ones that finish higher should be gutted. It shows just
how crucial a referee's job can be. It's very difficult.
One example is the decision to award Man Utd a penalty when 2-0 down
against Spurs. Poor decision, yes, but I had to see a replay to be sure.
If we had no replay, I couldn't honestly say it was or wasn't a penalty and
when I explained that to my mates, who also were angered by the decision, they
saw my point.
You have to trust that the referee is making the right decision at the
time, or bring in the third eye. But as soon as you do, it will even out the
wrong decisions that go in your team's favour. It's fine for managers to moan
that there should be a third eye, but then teams like Stoke may well
have got relegated instead of staying up as your League shows.
Anyway,
enough of the waffling, good job Jeff, are you returning to the Premier League next season?
Jeff's reply
What you say is correct Adam.
White Hart Lane was always one of my favourite
grounds to ref at - I did two Spurs v Arsenal and two Spurs v Man United games, including
the famous 3-5 game.
I retired due to age and that, coupled with the fact that I
am now five years older and two and half stones heavier, means that my reffing
days are well and truly over.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
Colin Angus, 23rd June 2009
Hi Jeff
I am a 67 year old lifelong Newcastle supporter living in Toronto,
Canada.
I was in England on vacation in early May and was at the game between
Newcastle and Middlesbrough - it was my first time at St James' Park in 45 years.
I have read your weekly column with interest over the course of the
season - I found it through Newsnow.
To those supporters of Stoke and
Blackburn who have taken umbrage at your League of Injustice, you should refer
them to a website called the Right Result run by a group of football
statisticians who claim to be club independent.
They produce a League Table which is
produced in a similar fashion to yours in which a panel of staisticians
look at the key refereeing decisions and give their opinion on the right
result.
Their table also has Newcastle and Middlesbrough still in the Premier
League, but their bottom three are West Brom, Hull and Sunderland.
As you state, it is a bit of fun and is an opinion on what could have been.
From a Newcastle perspective, the most disastrous decision had to be Howard
Webb disallowing the goal scored against Fulham. That decision ultimately
was the difference between relegation and staying in the Premier League.
However, I am taking the view that this is a golden opportunity to
"clean house" and start afresh, out of the media spotlight.
In closing, keep up the good work - I enjoy your website and comments,
and good luck to both Boro and Newcastle in the Championship next season.
Colin Angus
Jeff's reply
Hi Colin
I was recently made aware of the other site - perhaps I am not such an
idiot after all!!!
I agree with your comments regarding the Fulham game,
but ironically the same ref, who is still the best in England, gave
Newcastle a penalty that they should never have had at home to Sunderland
that earned them a point.
It's not the point I know but perhaps that evens
them out.
I still maintain that over a 38 game season, if you go down,
you deserved to.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
Chris, 22nd June 2009
Hi Jeff
I noted on the LOI board, a Newcastle fan was saying how the media influences
attitudes towards the club. I would agree - Newcastle have seemingly
gone from everybody's favourite club to the team everyone ridicules.
I feel very strongly that the media influences much of the way my own
team - Sheff Utd - are viewed and of course I have heard 'are you going to sue?'
jibes when we lost the Play-Off Final.
Anyhow, I wondered if the media influences referees. As you might
guess, I mention this because of KB's ill-advised but much reported comments and
then being at the game, I thought there were at least two or three key
decisions against us.
The main one for me was Kyle Walker in the penalty box, which I've not
seen on TV - I can't bear to watch it again.
I wondered if you had seen the match or the incident and whether you
thought Mike Dean could have been influenced. Is it something that a pro ref
would just ignore or does the constant nagging or simulation by players make
a difference?
I thought that some of the Blades players and their behaviour did
nothing to endear us or dispel the bad reputation of the club and in some ways
that's worse than not going up for me.
I guess it hurts true fans of the club who don't blame Tevez for sending
us down but I wonder what other clubs would have done - maybe send Tevez
death threats ;-)
Regards
Chris
PS Congrats Burnley - you'd beaten us twice already and on the day you
were the better team again.
Jeff's reply
I did not think it was a penalty and I would like to think that a very experienced
ref like Mike Dean would not have been influenced by KB's stupid comments.
They
were never going to change the ref, but to criticise his appointment was ill-advised
at the very best.
It is pleasing to see that some fans can be magnanimous in
defeat, good luck for next season except whne you play Boro!!!
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
Steve Price, 21st June 2009
Hi Jeff
On the point regarding fines for refs - a player makes a bad decision (a foul or reacts badly), he is booked and in some cases fined by the club.
I guess the FA fine the player as well (I am not sure on that point).
So, if a ref makes a mistake, they should be accountable and if they make a number of
mistakes, why shouldn't they be financially penalised?
People are penalised financially in all sorts of businesses for making
mistakes.
Anyway, new question - I personally think there would be a lot less angst
and far fewer issues if the ref did an after match interview to answer why
he made certain decisions during the match if required.
Players are interviewed, managers are interviewed so why not the ref?
Thoughts please?
Finally, when the crowd chant "you don't know what you're doing" and it's
both sets of supporters - do you ever feel - damn, I really have messed
this one up and try and make amends somehow.
Or do you carry on regardless and think - what do they know, I'm the one with the ref qualifications?
Regards
Steve
Jeff's reply
Refs are financially penalised by not being appointed to
games. Further than that, I disagree.
I do think though that they should be allowed to speak to the media after games. It could clear
up a lot of confusion.
You do carry on regardless if you have or have
not made a mistake. Yes you are the one qualified to make decisions,
but you have to concentrate on what happens next not on what has
already happened.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
Steve, 20th June 2009
Hi Jeff
In my opinion there are certain refs who will always bottle decisions
against the so called Big Four.
There are some refs who never seem to give decisions to your side.
I personally used to hate Ellery with a passion.
I still remember him robbing Spurs of a victory against Everton by
sending two players off. One was a complete joke.
Equally, can you tell me why Ronaldo was not booked for removing his
shirt and throwing it to the crowd when Man U beat Spurs this season? Never
mind the joke penalty decision.
Why aren't these refs fined for making such shit decisions?
On a personal note I always thought you were fair, not a prima donna. You
never went out to grab the limelight but what the fuck was that goatee about :-)
Jeff's reply
Leave my goatee alone, it's actually a velcro patch!! Think about it!!
I agree
some refs are not as strong as others. That does not make them shit though -
different people react in different ways.
I wrote at great length about the
penalty incident in Man United v Spurs. Everybody was very wise after the event
but from the ref's position, it was an understandable decision to make.
I agree
though that Ronaldo should have been booked.
Refs are selected on performance
but to suggest fining them is ridiculous. How would anyone else feel going into
work if they were financially penalised for every mistake? It is hardly likley to improve performance or do wonders for your confidence.
Best wishes
Jeff
From: Mark, 19th June 2009
After reading your LOI, I was less concerned by the findings of your table
and more impressed by the way you can be so condescending to people who
weren't half as hostile in their messages to you.
To publish an opinion of how the league might have finished under
different circumstances is fair enough, if a little pointless, but to then
lash out at the people who have indulged your inflated ego by visiting
your site is reaching for a new realm of arrogance that I didn't think was
possible, even for you.
I know you are only really concerned about your public image, but by
predicting a backlash from supporters of certain clubs, you legitimised
their actions and amplified the anger.
I fully expect to be ignored, or if you reply it will extend to your usual
level of eloquence ("grow up" tending to be the extent of your responses
on most occasions).
However, I still think it is necessary to point out that, having
officiated in a high-profile league, your views are powerful amongst
football fans and it is time you stopped abusing that.
Many of the decisions that you have "corrected" during the season are
subject to interpretation, so were another equally qualified person to
carry out the same exercise, they could easily get different results.
Stop assuming that your opinion is definitive by telling people they are
wrong if they don't agree with you.
Jeff's reply
Many thanks for your opinions - I hope that you do not feel my response is
condescending!!!
I respect anybody's right to have an opinion, even
though with regard to the laws of football and to refereeing, they are
usually not qualified to make comment.
Anyway, thanks for the advice on how to conduct myself and my life. I will
consider it.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Iain Affleck, 18th June 2009
Hi Jeff
The way I look at it is like this:
3 years ago we were relegated with 19 points and lost our 1st 5. Now we are in the Premier League (hanging on by our nails) but have gained 2 leagues on the Mags, have a billionaire owner and a "proper" manager.
I do agree with you re: the experience, I have never rated him. Who would
you have gone for?
Sheff Utd 1st game - must win or must not lose?
Iain
Dirty Mackem
Oh! Tom Bower's Book "Broken Dreams" is good. My Mam used to be Keith
Colling's PA at Sunderland and she says it was rife.
Jeff's reply
I would have tried for Martin Jol or another experienced successful
manager. Bruce has got teams promoted and relegated, but has had one half
decent season with Wigan and that fell away when he lost his best players.
He may have more money to spent at Sunderland but still is unproven in terms
of winning anything.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Ken, 17th June 2009
Jeff
I see people are now complaining when the ref gets it right as in the FIFA
Confederations Cup the other night when Howard Webb sent off an Egyptian for
handball, preventing a goal against Brazil, by making the nonsensical claim that
video evidence was used!
What a bunch of arseholes players and club officials are!
Jeff's reply
I agree.
Firstly, FIFA should increase the one match ban for the
Egyptian after his pathetic cheating antics in rolling around and holding his
head after clearly the ball had been handled.
It was clear that Howard was unsighted and that he received info via his
headset that it was a handball.
The point the Egyptians are making is that
the advice was allegedly given by someone watching a monitor. If this is
true then it does fall outside what is allowed.
The irony is that if the
CORRECT decision had not been made, then the Brazilians would have been
screaming for video technology. You can't win.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Tim, 16th June 2009
As a Man United fan, the main topic of conversation round these parts has been
about Ronaldo.
Personally, I think he's a great player but a complete tit.
I came across this made-up song for him though which I thought was quite amusing.
To the tune of Hoky Coky:
You put your transfer in, your transfer out, in, out, in, out, you f**k your club
about. You do the Cristiano and you change your mind, that's what it's all about!
Ohhhhhh Ronaldo is a wanker, ohhhhhh Ronaldo is a wanker, ohhhhhh Ronaldo is a
wanker, knees bent, arms stretched, dive, dive, dive!
Jeff's reply
I think even United fans got sick of his petulance. No one man is bigger
than the club - I am sure Fergie will improve the squad with the money.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Jack, 15th June 2009
Hiya Jeff
What are your thoughts on foreign referees officiating in England?
I have recently watched Howard Webb put in a less than convincing performance in the FA Cup Final, whilst LMC put in a superb performance in the UEFA Cup Final, as did Massimo
Busacca in the CL.
How would this work? It would stop commentators and other pundits question
referees from smaller countries refereeing when it comes to the World Cup.
Another question: Are you aware of referee forums like 'rate the ref', 'official
sports' and 'A and H'? Do you ever read through them or consider posting on then?
Finally - great site you have here!
Cheers, I can't wait for your reply.
Jeff's reply
I am bemused by your suggestion that HW had a "less than convincing"
performance in the FA Cup Final. I thought that he handled the game very well.
It's funny how "foreign" refs are all of a sudden the bees knees. Only a couple of
weeks ago after the Norweigan ref had reffed Chelsea v Barcelona, everyone was
castigating them.
To the best of my knowledge, there are no plans to use foreign
refs in the Prem - why should they? Why should other countries give their best refs
to us - who would ref in their own domestic Leagues?
I am aware of other sites but have enough work dealing with my own site.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Iain Affleck, 14th June 2009
Hi Jeff
So so sorry that you boys went down. I do, however, believe that you can come straight back.
So so glad the Toon went. Just hope Bruce is what we need to improve sufficiently to stop our hearts beating faster.
I do so hope you get back ASAP. Boro, the second best NE club!!
All the best mate
Iain Affleck
Dirty Mackem
Jeff's reply
I have a couple of doubts.
Firstly, I am amazed that you went for
Bruce, to kick on I think you should have gone for a much better coach,
someone with European experience.
I have never rated "moaner" Bruce. Only
time will tell, but if he does not do well, I am sure many fans will then
remember his Toon allegiances.
With regard to Boro, I am concerned whether we can get a good enough squad
together. We could follow many other teams before us and continue on the
slide.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Hunter Saggar, 13th June 2009
Hey Jeff
Who will you be focused on moaning about now that Ronaldo has gone? Good job
by the press to make the world's best player feel at home.
Will you be
focused on the real diving culprit, Stevie G? No way, not the English Wonder
Boy playing for the perennial losers!!
Jeff's reply
You may be surprised to hear that many genuine Manchester United
fans are glad to see the back of the petulant cheat. No one doubts his
ability but he has messed the club about and they feel they have got a good
price for him.
Many aspects of his game and character will not be missed.
Stevie G is far from perfect but he could not hold a candle to the cheating
and diving that is Ronaldo's hallmark.
He was totally upstaged by Messi in
the CL final and will never be remembered as a great until he changes, which
I doubt will ever happen. Good riddance!!
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: toon fan, 12th June 2009
What do you think of the overall refereeing this season in both the Prem and
Champs League?
Also, I would like to wish Boro the best next season as
although they are our rivals, I want three North-East teams in the EPL the season
after next.
Jeff's reply
Overall the refereeing at the highest level is good.
I don't think
in the Prem we have the quantity of top refs that we used to have. Some are
younger and still gaining experience.
I agree with you that this region
should have all three teams challenging for Europe, not scrapping to fight
off relegation.
I think Boro and Newcastle are in crisis and need to sort
themselves out quickly as it will be very difficult to bounce straight back.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Ben, 11th June 2009
Some of your decisions were unbelievable Jeff!
Jeff's reply
I am sure they were!!!
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: chidge, 10th June 2009
Jeff
I'm not surprised that most responses focus on perceived bias because as
football fans that is exactly what we are - biased.
So for me the questions are:
1) Does referee bias affect results (I think answer = no).
2) Do referee errors affect results (answer = yes, but not actually
that much).
For me, the issue is that all the teams fighting for the title, Europe
and relegation are unchanged.
I'm sure that for most clubs, results after 85 minutes, results in televised matches v untelevised, results after European matches or when wearing that dodgy third kit etc etc will all have a much, much greater impact.
Ultimately, this isn't a final table, it's about who is in which zone and will have to withstand the pressure of e.g. relegation. The difference between the two NE teams getting relegated and surviving is still just one point.
Jeff's reply
You are correct, player error is by far the most
significant reason why teams fail. The bottom three went down ultimately
because of their own inadequacies.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Tommy Dooley, 9th June 2009
You truly are an icon of our age Jeff.
The way you disciplined and controlled a generation of footballers was inspirational and a welcome respite from the referee who bows at the feet of Rooney, Gerrard etc.
I'm coaching an Under-14 team here in Ireland and was hoping you could give us advice on what values I should instill in my youngsters.
To get advice from Jeff Winter would be comparable to getting advice from Mandela, Ali,Obama for me.
Regards
Tommy
Jeff's reply
Perhaps you are either sarcastic or way over the top in your praise Tommy.
My advice to you would be to encourage the youngsters to express themselves and to
practice their technical skills.
Best wishes
Jeff
************************
From: Stevie, 8th June 2009
Hi Jeff
An excellent site you have here, don't let the paranoia of the Celtic Mopes get you down.
Jeff's reply
Glad you enjoy it. I don't let anyone get to me, that's probably why I
was a ref.
We are the people.
Best Wishes
Jeff
************************
From: John, Edinburgh, 7th June 2009
Re: Lafferty
What people are forgetting with the Lafferty case is the Aberdeen
player was the one who instigated the turn of events.
If he had got up and got on with it since it was him who won the foul, then he wouldn't have received the red card.
Serves him right for sticking his nose in (pardon the pun).
P.S. It was nice to meet you at the RST dinner last month.
Jeff's reply
I take your point John, but two wrongs don't make a right. Lafferty will learn
from his mistake far quicker than his actions will fade from opposing fans'
memories.
Best wishes
Jeff
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From: Gordon, Glasgow, 6th June 2009
Jeff, love your work... We Are The People!!
Jeff's reply
Some do, some don't, but our side seem to be okay with it. Here's to two
in a row. I am looking forward to some trips abroad next season.
Best wishes
Jeff
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From: Essential Spurs, 5th June 2009
We fail to see your point. The only dilemma you face is the degree of boredom this website generates.
With you having been so close to the teams in the Premier League, one has to wonder what you were really doing!!
As a Spurs fan, your screw ups in the game between NUFC and The Gooners were so
comical, we all had to laugh.
Jeff's reply
I too would laugh if it had been me who actually reffed a game between
those two sides. Get your facts right!!
Essential Spurs responds:
Great Job Jeff.
I was trying to see if it was you who actually replied to these comments.
Jeff's reply
Yes guilty as charged!!
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From: Mike McClinton, 4th June 2009
I thought that your article on Darlington dated 29th May was a well thought-out
summary of how most of us are feeling.
I am amazed that GH has made so much money
out of business when he creates this sort of mess. Personally, I wouldn't trust
him to manage any undertaking, let alone something I really care about.
I think he finally realised that his stadium isn't worth very much without a team
to put in it. Personally, I will be going next year though how many others will
watch the team, I don't know.
I never thought I would dislike anyone more than George Reynolds after everything
he did but with GH it's a close run thing.
Thanks once again for your thoughts: an island of sanity in a sea if greedy
stupidity (I could have written for a living, y'know) :-)
Jeff's reply
Then just after I had published the article, Raj Singh stepped
in. Personally, I would rather have 10 GR's than one GH, that is how much
I don't trust the man.
Best wishes
Jeff
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Rob, 3rd June 2009
I see your old mate Dean Windass is joining Darlo.... That'll liven the place up!
Jeff's reply
It certainly will. He is a tremendous character, he will still do a good
job on the pitch and will certainly liven up the dressing room.
Had he been
there when GH pulled the plug financially, I think we would have seen some
fireworks.
Best Wishes
Jeff
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From: Jimbo, 2nd June 2009
You are wrong Jeff I'm afraid. You were a shit referee and still would be if you carried on.
Your fantasy league is a joke but there are some people out there who actually believe in it.
Get a proper hobby, do some fishing or golf or something.
Jeff's reply
Hi Jimbo
Four lines and only eight grammatical and spelling errors I
have had to edit. Sums you up really, immature and semi-literate.
You
worry about your own life and let me get on with my own very successful
one!!
Best Wishes
Jeff
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From: Phil Morrison, 1st June 2009
I have just read some of the articles from people who have written to you. They're idiots. Why would you be biased towards Newcastle and Sunderland when you're a Boro fan? Never will everyone be happy with a ref all at once.
Good call on that phantom goal at Watford - it was probably one of the worst in history I would say.
Another question, when you were refereeing, who was the most difficult player to referee? E.g. for giving you abuse or cheating wise?
Regards
Phil
Jeff's reply
I thought that myself, but the education system in this country is
really failing us. I understand bias, but ignorance is hard to
understand.
I never got on with Danny Mills or Tomas Repka and Steve Staunton.
Probably the worst for gobbing were Ian Wright, Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney
and Ashley Cole.
