JEFF WINTER LIVE ONLINE: THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS 14-5-08
Here is the final part of the unanswered questions from the latest 'Jeff Winter Live Online at FansOnline.net' session held on Monday 12th May 2008.
This will be Jeff's last online appearance on FansOnline.net for the season. He will return in August.
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TS4-EIO
Be honest here Jeff please: Back in the good old days at Ayresome Park before everything went PC, did you ever racially abuse black players?
jeffwinter
If I have to be honest then 35 years ago, when I probably knew no better, I may well have done so. At the same time, I used to verbally abuse referees.
The difference is I hope all of us have learnt that the ignorance we showed to people of a different colour or creed has long been eradicated. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the abuse dished out to refs.
The one thing I cannot understand about the idiots who do still show racial hatred is that every team in the land has a fair mix of black and foreign players and anyone who is criticising an opposing player on those grounds cannot appreciate that that behaviour also upsets and alienates their own team's players.
TS4-EIO
Thanks for your honesty, like you say we all did it but football has moved on.
I remember when Boro played Leicester and I was sat in the North-East corner with my three year old son. Some bloke behind us was racially abusing Emile Heskey from start to finish calling him a "black bastard". I think Heskey scored two that night and we lost 3-0 if my memory is correct.
Anyway at the final whistle, I turned to my son and said: "What did you think of the game?". All innocently he replied: "He's a good player that black bastard."
jeffwinter
That's the way I remember it. We used to live in Jedburgh Street and the Bishop family lived on Grange Road. They were one of the few black families around the Boro at the time. Dave and Colin were a bit tasty but their younger brother used to describe himself as a "little black bastard". We all laughed, there was no malice.
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BIGAL74
Hiya Jeff, did you think the crowd on Saturday was disappointing? I would have thought that a lot more people would have got off their fat backsides as most of them will certainly be going to Wembley if or when we get there.
The atmosphere was brilliant and for me it was the best game ever seen at the Arena. What are your thoughts on this and have you still got your hotel booked in London?
Kind regards, Alan Lawson.
jeffwinter
The hotel is booked and I am waiting until after Saturday to make travel arrangements.
I am in Glasgow to watch Rangers in the Cup Final on the Saturday so hopefully it's going to be a successful Bank Holiday weekend.
The atmosphere at the Arena on Saturday was spot on. Even with only 3,000 in the ground, there is a lot of noise but with 3,000 Rochdale fans too, it was a tremendous atmosphere.
I have got to say though that only 5,000 home fans was a fucking disgrace. Yes, if Darlo get to Wembley, all the Darlo Boro fans, Darlo Newcastle fans and everyone else will jump on the bandwagon. It happens every time. Hartlepool took 16,000 to Cardiff and by the opening game of the following season, it was back down to 6,000.
But what the hell - as long as Darlo win and get promoted who cares? Maybe a few of the glory hunters will start going regularly to the matches.
For a play-off semi-final, the first 25 minutes were fantastic. Forget the caution, both teams went at it hammer and tongs. I know the sponsors gave Jason Kennedy the man of the match but whilst his goal and overall performance were first class, Fozzy to me was absolutely awesome. I look forward to seeing him lifting the play-off trophy at Wembley.
You might have heard I tipped the 2-1 victory on TFM and on Sky before the match. I am going for a 2-2 draw this Saturday. Get on Betfair, you will probably get better than the normal 12/1 you get off the bookies.
BIGAL74
Thanks for your thoughts Jeff, 2-2 you say, might have to have a stab at that one. See you in London.
Regards Alan.
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Bri_Marwood
Have a nice summer Jeff and wish us luck in the play offs. Maybe see you next season!
jeffwinter
Yes, I hope that Hull go up. It would almost be a local derby.
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HibsAdmin
No doubt some of the players gave you some funny verbals but what is the funniest thing a player ever said to you?
And how did you react :D
jeffwinter
Do you know, I have been asked that question before and can't really remember.
The likes of Jason McAteer and Gazza were always good for a laugh.
In the heat of the game there was not usually time for much debate, just the odd one liner. Most invoved them having a go and me telling them to "Fuck off".
I always tried to take the heat out of the situation. Most players knew how far they could go with me and usually a smile or a rebuke settled the situation. I think and hope that the players knew not to take liberties with me and if they didn't, I would then treat them with respect. I think the fact that I showed a lot fewer cards than most told a story.
The strong ref usually gets the most respect. That is why I get frustrated nowadays watching some refs allow players to get away with far too much "lip".
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afonsoalves
Have you ever been absolutely busting for the toilet when you are refereeing?
jeffwinter
What a SHIT question to end the season on. Ha ha.
The funny thing about the human body is how certain parts shut down when you are doing something else.
Part of my normal pre-match preparation was a good crap just after two o'clock. I used to have about three pisses in the last ten minutes before we went out. That usually did the trick.
The only problem I recall was a pre-season friendly between Billingham Town and Darlo played at Bedford Terrace. After about twenty minutes, the guts started rumbling. I thought fuck me I ain't going to be able to keep this one in until half time. I nipped and tried to run it off as they say.
It seemed to work but then the feeling came back even stronger. It was obvious that the guts had sent a delivery and it was ready to launch.
At an appropriate moment, I ran towards the lino, gave him my whistle, grabbed his flag and told him to get on with it. I ran down the tunnel and into the ref's room, pulled down my shorts and just about got seated when all but my guts dropped out on their journey towards the North Sea.
I re-adjusted my kit back down the tunnel and ran the line for the last few minutes of the half. I got a few comments from the fans.
As the half time whistle went, I met my colleagues and as we walked off the pitch, I gave my explanation: My boot lace had snapped and rather than hold up the game, I had just nipped off to change it. That seemed to work until we entered the dressing room and one of my colleagues holding his nose commented: "I did not know laces smelled of shit!!"
Fortunately that never happened at Old Trafford. I do recall hearing of a lino at Bishop Auckland who must have followed through and the shit ran down his leg all over his white topped socks. Quality or what!!
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Jeff next appears live online at FansOnline.net next season.
