Over the last couple of years a popular boot with Officials has become the Asics Gel Boot.  The idea behind these is that there better designed for Officials than normal boots and are used a lot in Australia.
Ive never used them but comments have always been positive about them.  However Ive always thought they were a bit pricey. However a few weeks back I was sent an email where a company was selling them for less than half of the normal price.  However they were in 10.5, 12, & 13. I’m a size 11 but thought for that price ill try the 10.5 and see.Â
They felt surprisingly light like trainers, however they were just a little to small and once your feet are hot and you’ve been running a bit, i could see them killing me. So i decided this pair aren’t any good for me, however I’m going to order a correct size, but looks like I’m going to have to pay normal price for them.
However with being away Ive not returned them, and to be honest its also a bit to much hassle. So ive put them up on ebay if anyone wants them (item 170232082662)
Since I achieved my Level 4 I have officiated on the Leicester Senior League as my Supply League. Two years ago the decision was made as a pilot to pool the Officials from the Senior League, with the Midland Comb, West Midlands League and create a Midlands Pool. The Referee’s would then officiate on any of the leagues and also on the Midland Football Alliance.  This has worked really well and has enabled a good variety of standards and teams.
Anyway during last season it was confirmed that the Senior League would be losing its Step 6 status and so there would be a new league created with teams from the Senior League & Central Midlands making up a new East Midlands League. It was unclear where the officials would come from. However given where I live on the border of Leicester shire & Derby shire I expected I would be brought on to the new league.
A few weeks ago the supply leagues were announced. The new East Midlands league would join up with the Senior League in its new state & the Central Midlands league to create and East Midlands pool.  I spoke to another Referee who lives 3 miles from me and he would be on this. However I had received no letter.
Two days later and I had received no letter. How odd i thought, but maybe they were being sent out by County or something.Â
It turned out I wasn’t to be on the East Midlands pool, but was staying where I was on the West Midlands Pool.  So next season with the exception of the Leicestershire clubs in the MFA I will be out of County each week.
Its going to be interesting not seeing the senior league clubs, but a change is a good as a break and I’m looking forward to this different challenge and the chance to see new faces. is
So ive been away for 5 days and its all gone a bit mad around here. When i watched the Austria Poland game in my hotel and the penalty was given. I never thought id end up with over 250 emails in inbox from comments on the blog and emails from people thinking I am Howard Webb!
The blog got picked up it seems and posted in a polish forum, it had over 2000 visits in one day! It usually average’s about 150!
Ive deleted all the comments on turned on the moderation again so apologies for anyone who found the comments upsetting and apologies as I was on holiday with no idea this was the case.
This weekend is the first round of the fitness tests for Level 3’s & 4’s. Good luck to everyone taking the test this weekend. I wont be taking mine until July so have a few more weeks to prepare, however may pop along this weekend to give some morale support.
So the officials for the Opening round of games have been announced by Uefa.  Roberto Rosetti will have the privilege of setting the standard for the tournament when he takes charge of the opening game between the Swiss & the Czech’s.
The big game of the round will be officiated by Peter Fröjdfeldt from Sweden when he takes charge of Holland vs Italy.
Howard Webb will take charge of the other hosts game Austria vs Poland. This is a great appointment as with it being a home side the crowd will really be behind them.
An interesting fixture in the opening round of appointments is the Swiss game vs Turkey. This will be controlled by Ľuboš Micheľ. The last time these two teams met this happened.
