Here, Paul tells us about his experiences, culminating in him refereeing in the International Blind Sports federation (IBSA) World Games in Turkey in April this year.
“ I started refereeing in 2001 after my semi-professional football career came to an end. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly
but I decided I wanted to give something back to the game. I had a huge shock however, when I realised upon taking the
referees courses, I didn’t know a third of the laws of the game!
To this day I still remember my first game as a referee – I walked out onto the pitch for an evening kick off, called the captains over to ask who the linesmen were and realised I had left my flags in the changing rooms! However it did get better, and since then, through various assessments, training, exams and fitness tests, I’ve worked my way up to Level 3 which means I can officiate in the Blue Square Conference, one division below the actual Football League. English football referees are categorised into 11 distinct levels depending on their ability, age and activity level with Level 10 being the lowest up to Level 1 who officiate Football League matches and then International Level referees who officiate in the Premier League and international matches.
World Blind Football Championship 2010 - Hereford
Last year, I was invited to participate in and learn more about disability football. I committed to learning both the blind
and partially sighted games, officiating national games prior to stepping up to internationals and finally the World Blind
Football Championship 2010 held at the Royal National College For The Blind in Hereford. For the blind player, this
tournament represented the pinnacle of their careers, and for the referees it was no different. The event included the current World Champions Argentina, Olympic Champions China, European Champions France and tournament favourites Brazil, with England the hosts.
This is an England football team that would never be booed, with silence a necessary part of the game. Whereas mainstream football around the world is played amidst a colourful sonic backdrop - be it chanting, samba bands or a chorus of vuvuzelas - the silence in the blind version of the game is striking. Etiquette dictates that spectators remain quiet unless the ball goes out of play because players need to be able to hear each other and, crucially, the ball. It contains ball bearings which means its motion makes a gentle rattling noise that helps players to locate it. Unsurprisingly, the style of play is different too. Passes cover a shorter distance, players try not to let the ball stray more than a few inches from their feet, making nimble footwork and a command of the ball vital.
England eventually managed to get to the semi-finals where they were beaten by Brazil. No Moore or Pele, but players equally gifted in their skills. I was both surprised and delighted to find myself in the team to officiate the Final. An Englishman in a Final, at least that’s something FIFA World Cup referee Howard Webb and I had in common! Brazil went on to overcome Spain 2-0 in a match which had so much skill involved you would never believe that these players were blind.
International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) World Games 2011 - Antalya, Turkey
I received an e-mail during March from Argentina, saying “you have been selected to referee the football in the IBSA World Games, please provide your passport details”. The event was to run from the 1st- 10th April, meaning I would be away for Mothers Day - big ouch! After accepting and then booking a table for Mothers Day lunch I then began considering what significance the event may hold - my first opportunity to represent my country abroad, an opportunity which may never come my way again and also ultimately to learn, improve and become a better referee. Sorry Mum, there’s always next year!
So off to Birmingham Airport I went, where thanks to work overload I almost missed my flight. I had been finishing off a report when colleague Paul Sewell suddenly looked up and said, “haven’t you got a flight to catch?” Fuel consumption ignored and the toll road used, I eventually arrived in plenty of time (with at least three minutes to spare) and boarded my flight to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, it appeared that the entire airport had been taken over by athletes. The IBSA World Games unlike Hereford catered for all sports and both blind or partially sighted. On the domestic flight to Antalya, I learnt that there were three referees whom I had previously worked with, from Argentina, France and Germany. Also I was to be rooming with Gerry, a ‘gent of a ref’ from Ireland whom I had officiated with in some partially sighted internationals.
We arrived at our hotel having had our eyes shut for most of the journey from the airport (have you seen how they
drive in Turkey? I would say a red light is a consideration at a traffic light, nothing else). Sleep was then required, the
competition started the next day!
Though we would leave the hotel at 7.45 am each morning for each day’s matches, we wouldn’t return until around 9.00 pm, just in time to catch the last part of dinner before meeting up for the post match debrief. These evening mealtimes were fantastic - athletes and officials mingling in the same food halls, sharing their experiences and frustrations toe to toe. Imagine Premiership players and officials or reporters doing the same! Like Hereford the previous year, there were a large number of ‘home country’ refs. Turkey provided a dozen referees forthe tournament and also like the English in
Hereford they were completely new to the concept of blind football. Unlike Hereford however, I actually got the opportunity to work as the 1st referee in the three man team of officials, which meant more involvement and more interaction with the managers and coaches. Being either the 1st or 2nd referee also meant having to stop matches due to prayer times (the blind players couldn’t continue to play due to the noise generated from people praying) which again was an education. Just adapting to the different culture was enlightening. My appreciation for Turkish tea also grew throughout the trip!
We refereed three matches per day with the play intense throughout. The teams new to this tournament were not of any less quality from Hereford and it became apparent why so many qualification tournaments were required to reach the World Games. The matches whilst evenly contested though, were played in a different style due to the heat and the England team in particular, had to adjust quickly. So did I, hours of unbroken sunshine and no hair – Factor 30 was a
must!
The matches progressed through the group stages and a particular favourite was being 3rd referee as England were beating Germany 4-1 - whilst you can’t cheer, you can smile!
So to the semi-finals and China versus Iran. I was selected as 1st referee for this match and it became the most difficult
game of football I have ever had to referee at any level. China held the lead until the last two minutes when Iran equalised. The Iranians eventually won 3-1 after extra time. The other semi-final saw France come out
on top 1-0 against England after a severely deflected shot did for the England keeper. England’s disappointment in missing out on a place in the Final however, was to my gain. I had been appointed to my second World Final in the space of 9 months, a Final where Iran proved too strong for France, winning 3-0 and also providing food for thought on how they would have competed with the superb Brazil and Spain teams from Hereford the previous year.
After a closing ceremony which was every bit as memorable as the one at Hereford, it was time to return home. I had been away for 10 days yet the time had gone in a flash. For me not only had the trip been a huge learning curve but the experience of a lifetime - the spirit throughout the competition, particularly back at the hotels, had been truly amazing. The bonds made, the chance to renew old friendships and forge new lasting ones went way beyond competition. Working closely with the blind footballers themselves had been hugely rewarding - these guys play for real, second best will just not do. Afterwards though, having been beaten by a better side, you see a humility that somehow you don’t always see at the final whistle and post match interview on TV’s Match of the Day.
My lasting memory of the IBSA World Games was being on a coach on the way back to the hotel, sat next to an athlete who was blind and had won the gold medal for 400 metres in a time of 47.37 seconds. Tremendous, until he told me his best mate was sat behind us having won the bronze on a bad day but was the world record holder at 47.25 seconds. Humbled, you bet I was! “
And finally: “The 2012 Paralympics will follow the London olympics in August next year. As a spectator, I can assure you that taking the time to watch this sport would leave you humbled yet enthused as to the pure honesty and skill given to the game. No highly paid players with wags and big egos, just footballers with amazing skill and a humility to match.”
Channel 4 are broadcasting a Documentary series called 'Best of British' following Paralympic athletes in their sporting and private lives as they aim to be selected for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. The episode aired on September 14th at 10pm shows the England B1 football team.
