The season started for me two weeks after the final whistle on my last game. For the first time I has selected an early fitness test. The nine week training programme issued by the PGMOL had to start that early to fit in the necessary preparation. Each session had to be downloaded (on a weekly basis) to Sports Scientist Matt Weston for feedback and observation. In addition, the FA had decreed that the Fitness Test itself had changed from a minimum 2700 metres in twelve minutes to the new FIFA Test. This consists of 6 x 40metre sprints in 6.2 seconds or under, 15 mins break then 10 laps of the track broken down into a 150 metre run in 30 seconds maximum, 50 metres walk in 45s then 150run then the walk, In other words 20 runs.

On Saturday 7th July 2007 I set off for Warwick University, and successfully completed the test – reward for all the effort I had put in. I was now free to take my place for the 8th season on the National List of Assistant Referees and, having resigned from the Panel List of Referees at the end of the previous season, take my place on the Contributory Referees list.

National list appointments are now issued by e mail from the Football League Office (Preston) on the preceding Monday prior to the appointment. Prior to this, an e-mail is issued advising match officials of the date they are to expect a game. My dates for August were listed as 11th, 14th and 18th August – as such I knew that I was out on opening Saturday.

On Monday 6th, the League office e-mail advised that I was to be assistant referee on opening day at Edger Street for the Division 2 game Hereford United v Rotherham United and on Tuesday 14th Assistant Referee at The Liberty Stadium for the Carling Cup game Swansea City v Walsall. Having confirmed the games with the League office and the home clubs I set about planning for the games.

Saturday games have an unwritten rule of being at the ground for 12 noon , on the Monday evening I rung my habitual travelling companion Bill Bombroff and agreed a pick up time at Bill’s of 10.30 . No need for Sat Nav when you have Bill in the car! Importantly with all Bill’s experience he is the ideal guest knowing the ropes of what to expect upon arrival at the various venues having served on the National List himself.
Each game at National List level is assessed – the match assessor on the Saturday was Roger Milford. Tuesday’s appointment was to be assessed by a UEFA observer Rodger Gifford serves on FIFA’s list as well as the National List in this country.

The previous two years kit sponsorship deal with Official Sports and the shirt sponsorship with Fly Emirates expired at the end of the last season. This year’s kit is Umbro and the sponsor is Air Asia .com – it was with some relief that I took a call from my neighbour on the 10th August to advise me that my kit had finally arrived.

Saturdays referee was Stuart Attwell , this was to be his first appointment at this level the other Assistant was Adrian Matthews from Melksham with Neal Radford ( Worcester) making up the on field team . After packing the kit and preparing my sports drinks for the next day I then keyed in the mobile numbers of all four into my mobile in case of problems the next day – thus making it easier to call them.

Match day itself means a high fibre breakfast plenty of water before and for the journey. The trip to Hereford was simple Bill and I were first to arrive. It is rare that I am not first; I would rather be waiting at the ground for colleagues than sat in the traffic worrying that I will be late!

As we waited Bill and I talked, to my knowledge this was a first for me. In the seven previous seasons I had never been on a game where I had more collective experience than the rest of the refereeing tem put together, and, all three of the other officials had, at various stages in the past been Assistant Referee to me!

Referee Stuart Attwell was next to arrive quickly followed by Neal and Adrian. Close behind came Roger Milford and Stuart’s coach Steve Dunn making the match day team five. Having relaxed over a cup of tea and plenty of banter – never short of supply when Roger Milford is about it was soon time for the pre match instructions and match day security briefing then 14.00 and the exchange of team sheets . After this a change into the kit , warm up which took us to 14.45 – back inside final preparations then 14.54 the buzzer is sounded and we as Assistants check the players in the tunnel to confirm that all kit conforms to Law 4 . Once this has been done comes the bit that still inspires me at every ground, the match officials get to lead the players out of the tunnel on to the playing surface. It is the one moment in the afternoon when all spectators unite in voice as one – as I walk that walk, often I think of how lucky I am to be there and of all the people that have helped me along the way – Reg (Stone) Mike (Smardon) my family, Bill, the list is long: I will never get enough of that walk – it is that and the banter among match officials that I will miss most when I have to retire.

The game itself is played in blazing sun, as Senior Assistant I patrol the technical area side both half’s no shade. It ends an entertaining 0-0 draw, which on paper is a fair result. After the game Roger gives his de- brief – he is happy it has gone well, Stuart, Adrian, Neal and I can be pleased. Roger has little advice to offer – but there are still things that could be improved up and Roger has something for all of us – the advice is clear, well thought out and well delivered.

Shower, sandwich and home. I arrive back home 19:45 Tiered but satisfied that the game went well.
Sunday 12th brought a trip to the gym to “warm down” again all recorded and downloaded on the heart Rate Monitor.

Monday 13th, back to work – a day of no training as I have another appointment on Tuesday a trip to Swansea in the Carling Cup. Roger’s assessment arrives, exactly what he said in the de brief. No problems. The appointments e-mail from the Football League brings a Championship appointment assistant referee at Plymouth.

Tuesday 14th work the morning – I have booked a half day. Leave home 15.00 journey to Swansea is not the best heavy rain the M4 East has major road works J29-33 – all the Cardiff turnings – as I approach Port Talbot the mobile goes ( hands free ) its Brendan Malone the other assistant he is at the Stadium ! We arrange for me to call him back when I am parked up. I am greeted by the car park staff as if I have never been away – I am a regular at the Liberty. Brendan and I talk about his play off experiences last year and I challenge him to go one better and make a trip to Wembley as match official at the end of the season. Referee Jarnail Singh and fourth official John Flynn soon arrive and we make our way from the match officials changing room upstairs into one of the many side rooms where Swansea’s pre match hospitality is second to none. Rodger Gifford the match delegate joins us at 18.15 and the conversation runs smoothly, lots of talk about the League of Wales with which Rodger is heavily involved.

After the instructions we are left to change and prepare for the game. The difference between Edger Street and The Liberty is about as big a contrast as you can get but they each have their own charm and I personally enjoy a trip to both.  Again the lead out inspires me. I have been to the Liberty when it is almost full, even though the attendance on the night is less than 7000 the spectators still generate a great atmosphere as we walk out. Two well taken goals ensure that Swansea run out 2-0 winners. In two games this season I have now seen only one caution and that for a bit of blatant time wasting in the 89th minute of this game. Rodger’s be brief is short, accurate and as ever contains advice on what to do to amend any small defects he has spotted. I arrive home at 00.15 – work beckons the next day – can’t wait for the alarm!

Struggle into the office the next day – again no training warm bath and stretch when I get home, I am e mailed by the Football League advising me that they are removing me from the game I have been appointed to on 25thAugsut as they need me on Football League duty on that day . The Contributory League Appointments are also posted on the FA.Com , my game in S September is Evesham United v Rushall  Olympic on 8th September , to be played at Worcester City FC as Evesham are redeveloping their ground , I have Football League games on every other Saturday , apart from 14th which is a Friday night . This will be either Bristol Rovers v Leeds as 4th Official or Swansea city v Carlisle as assistant or line, good news for the Suburban League on the 15th as I don’t have game so I will be refereeing for them that day. – Hi intensity Gym session planned for Thursday lunchtime.

Thursday 16th lunchtime gym session HI running – 5 minutes on the treadmill warming up to 80% of maximum heart rate (Max) then 4 minutes running at 90% plus max 3 mins off 4 mins on 3 mins off 4 mins on 3 off . Then a warm down of 5 mins on the exercise bike. All is recorded in the heart rate monitor and the data is downloaded upon my return here. Once a week the data is e mailed to Matt Weston for analysis. To explain max the common formula is 220 beats per minute – your age, my max is 180 so the percentage is 90% of 180.

After the session return to the office for the afternoon then home. Arrive home open e mails Rodger’ s assessment is here again he has written what he said on the night – inwardly I kick myself for being too pedantic with the free kick placement on tithe offside and the corner signals which should have been sharper! But I am happy with what I have got from both games a solid start.

A day of rest Friday before a trip to the most southerly club in the football league a Championship Line at Plymouth Argyle . Friday evening another set of colleagues mobile numbers is plumbed into the mobile, the kit bag is packed and checked, my sports drink and water bottles are in the fridge, the mobile is topped up, shoes are polished white shirt ironed. The M5 South awaits on a holiday Saturday – Argyle is a daunting 257 mile round trip – I have arranged with Bill to pick him up at 09.30.