BT Sport - Referee Documentary

I had a great day yesterday!!

I was lucky enough to be asked if I would like to be involved in a new documentary which will be shown on BT Sport in Feb 17.

Without giving anything away - I spent yesterday morning being interviewed at my local football clubs lovely clubhouse - Attenborough FC. Amid several camera's and a wonderful production crew, Tom Watts and I talked about football and refereeing. Stopping only for a tasty picnic and cuppa tea.

The camera crew then quickly drove ahead to the football pitch where I was refereeing in the afternoon, to enable them to shoot the match, from the first arrivals at the ground, and throughout the match. When I arrived it was full steam ahead to normal match preparation only this time with a microphone attached (which stayed on throughout the match), and TV camera's following my every move.

The match ended up being a great battle between Bilborough and Newark - Absolutely  perfect for the documentary. It was feisty with a couple of cards being given, and a couple of heated moments between players. The game was a draw right up to the last couple of minutes, when an exciting end to end play gave a winning goal.

I really enjoyed the day, I loved being part of the production. It was another learning experience for me and one that hopefully I can keep an involvement in.

Jurgen - A Maverick

I like Jurgen Klopp.

He seems to have his own mind. If he thinks it is the right thing to do, then he does it. He's not scared of making decisions, no matter how uncomfortable to him or others. If it needs saying, he says it. He's obviously passionate about football - You just need to watch him throughout a match, to see an array of dance moves and facial expressions.

He has been getting involved in the community, getting to know people, what makes them tick, what else is out there, what do people do in their spare time. He's a people person, who like to know about life, and just what makes it work. I love his recent advert for 'Nivea Men', where he waves from the coach at a young girl, and she throws him the 'Loser' sign - his expression is great, and the fact that he obviously enjoyed playing the role is testament to Jurgen.

Jurgen recently had a game of 'Crown Green Bowls' - my family's other sporting love. He played with three Liverpool fans at the Formby Holy Trinity Bowls Club, and apparently had a good time. Crown Green bowling is having a great revival at the moment following the successful filming of the main tournament in bowling' The Waterloo' - held at Blackpool every September. My Great Great Uncle was Harry Rigby, who was the presenter of the Waterloo final when it was previously on TV. Anyway, I'm sure if Jurgen fancied another game of bowls, I could give him a run for his money.

I know - this is flat green - trying it out with Grandad

Uncle Harry Rigby - Well worth a google - such a character

They say that Crown Green Bowling is an old-mans game. The game actually attracts people of all ages. However the Old Man bit is correct in the fact that bowls keep's you fit, healthy, with plenty of fresh air, competitive and with plenty of friends, All things that enable you to live to a grand old age.

My Grandad has often spoken of when Bert Trautmann played for Man City. He had to overcome so much after being signed so shortly after the end of WW2, but the way he went about earning the adoration of Manchester, and changing people's views, is still so relevant today - and Jurgen has proved that it still works.

SOCCEREX 2016 -

Network, Network, Network

Another successful year of Soccerex. I drove over to Manchester on a sunny day looking forward to a day of well organised, informative presentations, and ample opportunity to Network with old friends and start relationships with new contacts - All of us working within the football industry.

At Manchester Central Convention Complex, the entrance to the building was adorned with Soccerex flags and video screens showing the inside of the show. At a cost of over £1000 per ticket, it was only going to be those whose business was going to benefit from attending who would walk past those burly security guards.

Inside were around 50 stalls of top tier organisations, ranging from Tailors to 5+ star hotels, coaching academies to technology leaders. I didn't find it quite as varied as had been in previous years, but there was still plenty to look at and new technology to be aware of. I met several owners of the top tier companies who I have got to know over the years, all really pleasant and all extremely helpful and interesting. I'm lucky as one of a few Girls around, that I am noticeable and enjoy the fact that most of the Guys are happy to chat with me.

There was definitely more technology based presentations this year, more discussions about social media and how marketing and fan enjoyment was changing - how was the industry keeping abreast of the changes, and who were the players taking this progress forward.

There was a whole afternoon of women in football, with panels including top players, top business women and top media females. Discussions about the present role of women in football, and how quick the women's game was going to progress.I spoke with friends from the 'women in football' organisation, and chatted with the ladies from 'She-Kicks'.

I was surprised at how many people I knew. The conversation was definitely flowing, and I was introduced to other associates who I have already started to contact. It is a fantastic day to Network and relax in an environment where you know that everyone had that interest of football, and you could start a conversation with anyone.

Networking is so important. It is scary at first, but the more you do it, the more confident you become, and then the more benefits you see from it. It's not about using people, but it is about building up relatonships where you are not only friends or associates, but you are also allies to future business.

Football Scout - Who'd have thought it?

Well, after a few days of quite intense training, I am now a fully fledged Professional Football Scout. I have been around football all my life, and especially since I became a Referee I have been in a position where I know Football and I know the skills required to be a top player. However, saying that, in the last four years I have seen two players at Grassroots who I thought - Wow, they should not be in Grassroot Football. At the time I didn't know how to progress those two players, how to approach them, and who to go to to progress them to the next level. four years latr, I now know. Them two lads are probably around 15 now, and I hope they have been scouted.

My course was held at 'The Globe Centre' Accrington. Great place, made even more exciting by the fact that it was just next to Oswaldtwistle - Somewhere I have wanted to go to ever since I heard of the town on a TV programme. Thre were 15 people on the course, and as usual I was the solitary Female, whereby I got the usual raised eyebrows when I turned up. The Guy's were great, and had travelled far and wide, and I mean far and wide - Asia, New Zealand and Europe. Me getting up at 0500hrs that morning suddenly didn't seem so bad.

Well what of the course?

Lots to learn, but easily understood and picked up if you have been in the football world for a while. I found that because of my having played and referee'd at Grassroots, but also massively, because I had played in a Centre of Excellence, had watched matches at Manchester United's Carrington Training Centre, as well as my working at Nottingham Forest Academy I have a good idea as to what level they do have to be, to be at any professional clubs academy.

Day one was Talent Identification and Safeguarding Children. Both subjcts that required a lot of classroom work, but both subjects are extremely important and as a Scout are the fundamntals by which we work. Although it was a heavy day of concentrating, it was important and relevant.

Day two was Player/Team/Match analysis. This was the day that the Footballers, Coaches enjoyed. The more hands on day. Although the knowledge in the room varied, we all had a love for the sport and a background in the sport. No matter how experienced, this day taught us all a lot, possibly made people realise the intricacy of the professional clubs, and just what a scout is looking for.

I enjoyed the course, it's more knowledge that I now have, but also a heads up to the fact that I am more than capeable of being a Scout. I also know that as a Scout, I will not mess anyone around. I know what is wanted, and I know the sport, the tactical abilities required, the fitness required etc etc If I see someone who fits the bill, I will put them forward, because I believe in my ability. If they are not going to make it, I will not give them false hope.

It's a worthwhile course, and following Leicester City's success this year, whereby they actually stated that one of the top reasons for their success was Scouting, I am looking forward to being able to help that footballer who's dreams could possibly be realised.

My days at Carrington below - Could you be there?