READERS' LETTERS JULY 2008

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.

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From: Kirk, 22nd July 2008

Jeff

Do you think referees should be allowed to be members of organisations like the Free Masons, Hibernians and Orange Order?

I think if they are members, this should be made public so everyone knows. What do you think?

Thanks

Kirk

Jeff's reply

Hi Kirk

I am sure that your question is posed with a strong inference that because a ref belongs to a certain organization, it affects his ability to referee a game fairly. This should be the case as if referees are not refereeing with integrity, then the game has no chance.

Speaking personally, I can only say that when you get out there you have enough to do to concentrate on reffing the game without worrying about anything else.

I think that any personal information about a referee should be kept private. The authorities have their own system of keeping refs away from teams that they might have had an allegiance to, either in terms of family or geography. This works in England but it is much more difficult to do in Scotland. I do intend to write an article on this subject in the next couple of weeks for my site.

If everything was made public, it would just give the conspiracy theorists more scope to invent excuses for matchday incidents.

We live in a world where human rights give someone privacy and I believe that should remain. If refs are made to declare their personal matters, then so should everyone else, players, officials, journalists etc etc etc.

Let the football speak loudest not the racist, religious bigots.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: John Harrison, 21st July 2008

Hi Jeff

I, along with several friends, have tried to tune into Alpha Radio with no joy.

My friends come from Boro/Redcar/Skelton and beyond but none of us can tune in.

If this remains the case you will lose thousands of Teesside based fans. I'm very annoyed, I can tell you.

P.S. You should have gone to BBC Tees or Century.

Jeff's reply

Hi John

First of all thanks for your continued interest and support.

On the point of where I should have gone, it's a bit like with a footballer, you can only go somewhere if you are wanted and if they have what you require.

I was approached by one of the stations that you mention and they wanted me to host shows from their studios. Unfortunately that would have meant not attending games on a Saturday.

I am a football fan and want to go to games and also have the knowledge of having been at a game, which gives me credibility on air. I was also very keen to continue to give coverage to the fans of Darlo and Pools, something that not all stations are very interested in.

Upon meeting Alpha, I was instantly impressed with their care for the local community and their aims met mine. I am hopeful that eventually the shows can be networked over their stations which would give greater coverage.

I share your frustration though. Imagine how I feel having built shows from nothing and making them as popular as they have become. I know that it is not perfect for everyone living in your area but you will still be able to tune in via the internet. There will be a direct link established from my own website and I know that many people are planning to tune in this way.

I hope that you will try and listen and also keep in touch via my website articles.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Ken, 20th July 2008

Jeff

When Hackett finally retires, how about applying for the job yourself? I would like to see Ferguson's face when he gets put in his place!

Cheers

Jeff's reply

I think hell will freeze over before I would either be offered or accept any future involvement with the referee's governing bodies. As I have said previously, if you pay peanuts you get monkeys!!

In a way, I wish I could be in charge but it would never work. They would not want someone who would stand up for refs and not do everything to appease the clubs. The refs are becoming yes men to protect their careers.

It shows no signs of getting better. In fact it will probably get worse.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Peter, 19th July 2008

I am delighted to confirm that for the new season I will be joining Alpha 103.2, the local radio station based in Darlington. because the best Ref I have seen is back.

I am a connoisseur, despite those who may dare to question my mindset.

Cheers

Jeff's reply

Cheers Peter, it seems that many are coming across to listen. Thanks for your support.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Jan, 6th July 2008

Referring to van Nistelrooy's goal against Italy, I agree the goal was correct.

If you turn the situation around, if the forward was knocked out of the pitch and after the pass, stepped back to score, then he would be offside when the pass was delivered. The same should therefore also apply to the defender.

Jeff's reply

What you say is correct Jan, regarding an attacker deliberately stepping on to the pitch and gaining an advantage. Likewise, if a defender deliberately left the pitch to put an attacker in an "offside" position, I would also agree.

I cannot, however, get my head round the situation that a player who is lying injured off the field is playing someone onside and is deemed part of the game.

Evidently the Laws support your reasoning but you ask referees what they thought were the Laws of the Game on this subject and if they are honest, like me they will tell you that they had never heard of it.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Kendo Nagasaki, 5th July 2008

Alright Jeff, likin' your page mate.

Always enjoyed watchin' games refereed by yourself. It was clear for everyone to see that even the big name players who have egos the size of their wallets respected you and your decisions.

Also, I am proud of your stance for us Rangers fans and your support for our club.

All the best to you in your new career journeys and I look forward to welcoming you to Ibrox for a Champions League game or Old Firm game next season as the Bears bring the League Flag 'Home'!!

All the best big yin.

Kenny.

Jeff's reply

Cheers mate, the site will get a lot more lively come August with new features each day. Also links to my new radio shows will be announced later this week.

I will certainly be up a few times next season.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Alan C, 4th July 2008

I read the Rangers v Celtic debate and noted the glee with which the Celtic minded people talk about Rangers fans "destroying" Manchester.

There is something very wrong with this attitude from them. Do they not do irony or hypocrisy? This is a set of supporters who openly sing songs in praise of a bunch of cowards who placed a massive bomb in that city centre and left it to cause millions of pounds worth of destruction. Or have they forgotten about that?

I was in Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final and was stunned by the crowds - the place was not prepared for such an invasion. I saw a few dodgy characters but I never saw one bit of trouble. I did attend the match though.

I have seen some of the trouble on TV and the Internet and am sickened by the behaviour of those involved and will never make excuses for these morons.

However you have to remember that out of over 200,000 supporters, there were around 46 arrests. This is an incredily low figure and the vast majority of people must be applauded for their conduct before, during and after the match.

Jeff's reply

That was exactly my point Alan but unfortunately it's the bad news that makes the headlines. However, some relish castigating the other set of fans and what happened gave them an opportunity that they relished.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Denis, 3rd July 2008

Have a look. Incidents like this were all too common in the bad old days.

Jeff's reply

Whether the ref was a Hun or not, he most certainly did not have a sense of humour.

Unless the player said something, I cannot believe he was sent off for kicking the ball at the ref. It was obviously not intended and surely it did not provoke the necessity for a Ronaldo/Drogba dive.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: turbine, 2nd July 2008

Jeff, I've just found your site - some good some bad. Never mind, it takes all sorts.

Anyway, I thought I would run this idea of mine by you to see what you think and maybe it could get implicated.

When a player is fouled and has to leave the field of play for treatment, would it not be a good idea for the player who commited the foul to leave as well and for him to return when the injured player returns or is substituted? That way, the teams would be even (i.e. ten men) and it might cut out some of the hatchet men.

Jeff's reply

It sounds like a good idea but it would probably lead to even more dissent and accusations of play acting. Also, sometimes a player gets injured when it is not a foul so we would still have the same problem of 10 v 11.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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From: Stuart Carey, 1st July 2008

Jeff, I don't know if this was raised before but you being a Rangers man (I'm a Tim myself), how do you think the Old Firm would do if they were allowed in the Premiership?

I think after a few years with the revenue, the "Big Four" wouldn't know what hit them.

Your thoughts Jeff?

Stu, Dublin

Jeff's reply

I don't think it will happen because UEFA would then try and have a GB team rather than the home nations. Then again, Welsh teams play in the English Leagues and Berwick in the Scottish.

The Premier League is all about money and the richest teams are the best. Rangers and Celtic, with their huge support, would add to the League and as their European form shows, they would compete very well.

As you say though, it would take a massive cash injection for them to really compete with the "Big Four". Look at Newcastle - "big crowds" don't guarantee success.

I think it would help Rangers and Celtic and their Scottish players if they were competing against better opposition each week.

Best Wishes

Jeff

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