Shows
For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Why become a referee and what makes you happy when refereeing?We delve deep into the psyche of football referees. What makes them want to be a referee and motivates them to continue? How do they hone their skills and what is it about mindset that keeps them strong in the heat of battle?Luke and Wayne also disagree about the FA Cup! Is it still a valued competition? Join us this week for more fun and games on the pod!
2026-01-1356 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Kieran Clarke - stepping back into refereeingWhat made Kieran Clarke step into refereeing? This week we talk to Kieran about his career in football and why he has given up playing to continue with the whistle.We also discuss why Wayne had 'beef' this week and discuss all of the other hot topics around football refereeing. Thanks to you all who are listening to us on a weekly basis!
2025-12-091h 02For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Lucas Brace - the step into adult footballLike many young referees, Lucas Brace was a player and earning a bit of cash as a hobby. Upon reaching 16, he hung up the playing boots taking the brave step into adult refereeing.Lucas talks about the challenges and the realistic goals he has set himself. A lovely episode to hear from a young referee talk so well. Luke and Wayne also discuss the quality of ginger referees in the County and all the latest talking points!
2025-09-301h 11For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Krister Halvorsen - From football to American FootballKrister Halvorsen touches down this week (see what I did there?) as he talks all things American Football. Krister started out as a football referee before being invited to watch some training of the American Football game.Fast forward a few years, and a Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium appearance later and he educates Wayne and Luke all about the game!The boys also talk about all of the latest incidents and Wayne has a rant about hoovers of all things! He also dedicates a special section to Kyle...
2025-02-111h 23For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Imy Gates - the female 'Vinnie Jones.'An unexpected email changed Imy Gates' life forever. She was a footballer playing at a good level when the opportunity to become a match official came about.
Two years later and Imy has her sights on the top levels of the female game. A self-confessed 'physical centre-half' she talks with enthusiasm about her future goals and how playing has helped support her refereeing.
2025-01-211h 14For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Brooklyn - Northern Ireland's newest prospectThis week we had young referee Brooklyn on our podcast who at the age of 17 is already loving his refereeing experience. Based in Northern Ireland, he talks to us about short time in the National Referee Academy, his time at the Iber Cup and his hopes for the future.
We also discuss the key talking points of the week.
Should Bergvall have been sent off?
Were Arsenal lucky to get a penalty?
What did the referee see to give that corner to Aston Villa?
Is there such thing as...
2025-01-141h 17For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Whistlestopfooty - From the UK to the USAAnother friend from the world of social media joins us this week! Whistlestopfooty talks to us about his journey into refereeing and his work in America.
We discuss all the latest incidents from the weekend's games and talk about pitch inspections following a cold and wet January weekend!
Make sure to come and join us!
2025-01-071h 24For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Our live episode with Stuart Burt!We had a lot of fun recording our live episode with some great guests. We had Mike from The Referee Circle and Martyn Gospel who is a great guy! We also chatted to Burtie who is a huge supporter of our podcast. Have a listen back.
2024-12-311h 22For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Steve Ross - Stopping at the top of the game!Steve Ross, an ex-Lincolnshire FA referee was flying through the system. He reached the National League of referees and was going places. The next place he went was Cyprus and that was the end of his refereeing career at the top level.
Does he regret it? What were the career highs and lows? Find out in this week's episode.
2024-12-231h 21For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Secky Jnr - Taking the game seriously!From a lad taking his first steps in refereeing to a lad taking it seriously and flying through the levels. What changed the mindset of Ralph Seckington? What are his ambitions and what is he going to do about it? Listen to the chat we had this week on the podcast. Make sure you listen in to this week's quiz! It is A CLASSIC!
2024-12-171h 13For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Ref Dad - From coaching to refereeRef Dad joins us on this week's podcast! Following a career in coaching, which took him to America, he came back and realised that coaching was no longer for him.
This has led to a career in refereeing and a 10 year plan but what does this entail? Have a listen to this week's episode and let us know what you think!
2024-12-101h 27For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Shaun Barry - a career in football from hatchet man to refereeIn this week's episode, I talk to Shaun Barry about his career in football. Shaun was a grassroots player who, by his own admission, was a bit of a hatchet man kicking anything that moved. In his own words, he spent more time suspended than he did playing. How did he make the transition from player to referee? Find out in this week's episode.
2024-12-0356 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Aaron Lloyd - changing mindsetWhat is in a referee mindset? What are the small changes you can make to move up to the next level or move up within a level? We talk to Aaron Lloyd about the changes he has made since being on FA CORE and since starting as a young referee. We are joined by Alex Compton on the quiz too. Can he move up the ladder?
2024-11-261h 24For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!David Coote - Pantomime villain?This week we are joined by UON journalist Tom Toseland and we discuss the media portrayal of referee David Coote. Does he deserve the reaction he has received or is it a mistake that can be rectified? Does the media help in these situations or do they make the situation worse? The boys chat in depth about this.
2024-11-191h 13For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!The Refereeing Circle - supporting grassroots referees in the USA!Our international podcast is back and this week we go Stateside to Illinois as we are joined by Mike from The Refereeing Circle! We have a wonderful chat as we compare the systems in America to those in the UK. Adam O'Connor joins us on the quiz. Can he climb up the leaderboard?
2024-11-121h 26For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Matt Hurst joins us from the Nene League!This week we are joined by the Nene League's Matt Hurst. Matt is Secretary, Referee Appointment Officer and even runs his own team! We talk about refereeing standards and how these could improved. We discuss whether referees should take an annual test plus much more! Aaron Lloyd also joins us on the quiz and what a treat that is!
2024-11-051h 14For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!VAR AGAIN! Join us as we discuss the West Ham penalty and many other topics!Chris Rowland joins us this week as we discuss the technology used in football. We talk about the developmental opportunities and the complexity of club marks. Lots more things discussed too and Gav Mack joins us for the quiz, even if the WiFi was another disaster!
2024-10-291h 20For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!A Goude episode made better - a volunteer or another job? Matt Goude is our guest this week!Ever wondered what it is like to have a full-time job and another full-time job volunteering? Regular listener Matt Goude joins us this week to discuss the hours he puts helping Blisworth FC flourish but also what his club do to support the young referees coming through the county.
2024-10-211h 08For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!The one and only Martyn Gospel!It might have been an early start but we got Martyn Gospel on the podcast this week! All the way from the sunshine of Australia, he takes time out to discuss his career and his move to Australia. He tells about his highlights and things he would have done differently!
2024-10-151h 04For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Are we doing enough to promote equality in refereeing?We are joined by a For Ref's Sake debutant. Abdul Kadir first started off in the Bangladeshi League before taking up the whistle. But why does football refereeing still find recruiting from some minority groups a struggle? We also discuss empathy in refereeing and what 'safe' refereeing means. We are joined by Andy Humphries on the quiz this week. Can he climb the ladder of success?
2024-10-081h 18For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Slim is back! What is your refereeing persona?An incredible chat this week. We discuss the Bruno Fernandes red card and also talk about refereeing persona. Following on from our mental health chat last week, we chat to James 'Slim' Campbell about his mental health challenges and the impact that refereeing had on them. We also have the quiz back. Who knows when the Battle of Stamford Bridge was?
2024-10-011h 23For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Is mental health overlooked in refereeing?This week we talk to Ian Rathbone about the Man City v Arsenal game before we asked if mental health is overlooked in football refereeing? We discuss visualisation and meditation amongst other things. We get the usual excellent quotes from Mr Rathbone. Tune in and leave your feedback on our social media pages.
2024-09-241h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Secky joins us to talk refereeing and coaching.In this episode we explore three key questions - will the fast-tracking of ex-professionals be a success? Do we worry too much about the positioning of referees? Is the refereeing pyramid fit for purpose?
We also discuss the week's incidents in the Premier League and Kieran Clarke joins us on the quiz! How far can he climb the ladder?
2024-09-171h 07For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Mack ChatWe switch to our pub-style format this week. Should club assistants be trusted with offside decisions? Why are we seeing a shortage of officials at Step 5? What makes a good referee coach? We explore these themes and more alongside guest co-host Gav Mack!
2024-09-101h 27For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 3 Episode 1 - A warm welcome back!We introduce our new quiz called 'The 100 Club' and chat all things refereeing from the weekend. We find out what the boys have been up to over the Summer break and look forward to the season ahead!
2024-09-0348 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Ruebyn Ricardo - the season finaleAnother incredible episode as we bring the season to an end! Ruebyn talks to us about his rise through the ranks and how those close to him have inspired him to get to where he is today. A great way to finish the season!
2024-05-281h 01For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Ruebyn Ricardo - the journey and overcoming the greatest of barriersWhatever words we put here would not do justice to the story of Rubeyn Ricardo. Have a listen to the story. The journey. We were privileged to talk to him about his early career and how he overcame some life-changing situations...
2024-05-211h 27For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Richard and Stacey Fullicks - the pathway and return from injuryStacey Fullicks was establishing herself on the WSL when injury struck. Learn in this episode how she returned to action following much dedication and hard work. She is joined by her refereeing husband Richard who talks about his journey on the women's pathway.
2024-05-141h 21For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Dean Martin - getting into refereeing and loving it!Dean took up the option of taking on a 'Nene League' Course and loved it so much that he is refereeing mornings and afternoons in adult football. How did he get into refereeing and what gives him that 'buzz' when he picks up the whistle?
2024-05-071h 01For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Richard Daly - Player, manager, coach, administrator, referee.Dedicating his life to local football and supporting grassroots has led to Richard finally making the leap to becoming a qualified referee in his mid 50s. But now that journey is being extended as he has applied for promotion to level 5. What made Richard join the refereeing ranks and why does the self-confessed connoisseur of podcasts rate ours so highly? Listen to his story here.
2024-04-301h 29For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Tom Lilly - Making the transition to adult footballWith the number of referees in the youth ranks, there are a number of referees who are reluctant to make the next step. However, after just a couple of years in youth football, and at the tender age of 16, Tom has made the step into the adult game. What made him make the jump and what are his hopes for the future?
2024-04-231h 17For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Social media? A good thing? Steve Sargent joins us to talk referees but he isn't a referee?A couple of weeks ago we called out the admin of Whitworths FC for bashing a referee! Did we think he would come on? No! But here he is talking refereeing, what he would like to see and how social media can play its part. A great chat and proof that we can all work together in football!
2024-04-161h 27For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Wayne Chalmers - the reluctant referee to setting up his own charity in memory of his daughterWayne Chalmers never wanted to be a referee but 25 years later, he is still loving being involved in football. He talks about his journey in football and how the loss of his daughter Daisy in 2018, impacted his mindset and set him on the way to creating his own charity. He shares some amazing stories and how the friendships he made kept him going through the hardest of times.
2024-04-091h 36For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!G'day from Australia! Mateo Driscoll on his move across the World!A few months ago , Mateo was on the 5-4 pathway in Northamptonshire. Fast forward and he is in the 43 degree heat of Perth, Western Australia. He is already making waves by joining a development group but how does his refereeing differ from the UK? Find out in this episode!
2024-04-021h 21For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Finn White - From picking up a bit of cash to setting targets...Finn White was your average teenage referee. Wanting to pick up a few quid for pocket money before realising that picking up the whistle was a passion. Finn discusses his journey from mini-soccer to now passing on his own advice to fellow referees. He also talks about the tough decision about playing and refereeing and deciding which one will take precedence. Eventually!
2024-03-261h 16For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Jake Sharpe - pundit, player and potential referee...Jake Sharpe plays Sunday football in Northamptonshire but his day job is talking football and sometimes that includes refereeing. This week he joins us to talk about grassroots referees and his thoughts on how refereeing could be improved on a local and national level. Jake also works for BBC Northampton and rubs shoulders with Pete Walton on a regular basis. What has he learnt and what are his thoughts on all things football?
2024-03-191h 30For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Return of the (Gav) Mack!After some gentle persuasion, Gav Mack returns to the podcast. We spoke to Gav in Season 1 when he was an ex-referee and now he has returned... and he has a whistle in his mouth (not during the interview). Gav talks to us about why he has returned and how his outlook on refereeing has changed since the first time he pulled on the shirt! As usual, the boys also discuss all the latest talking points in refereeing too.
2024-03-121h 21For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Callum White - football mad and taking up the whistle.Callum has been involved in football for many years and now has moved onto big things with the FA. However, he was tempted to take up the whistle and now he has his sights set on promotion. He is also great at losing his whistle!
2024-03-041h 15For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Tom Cooke - From player to refereeDon't just book it, Thomas Cooke it! This week we are talking to the beautiful specimen that is Tom Cooke. He started off as a goalkeeper, taking it America on his travels and ended up as a National List Assistant, a little by accident. He talks to us about his future aspirations and the changes he made to get to the level he is operating at now.
2024-02-271h 30For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Dan Leach - how can your mindset impact your performance?Dan reached Level 4 at an early age and reached level 2B some years later. So what convinced him to become a specialist assistant and sacrifice that opportunity of moving forward as the man in the middle? Dan talks about having a certain Mr Scott as an assistant in the early days and how he has used his own mindset to make it up to the Select Group 2. He gives us tips and thoughts about how performance can be improved. Thanks to Dan for joining us!
2024-02-201h 20For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Building confidence. Oakley Major-Howard talks making it as a youth referee.Coming from great football 'stock,' Oakley Major-Howard has taken up the whistle to learn more about the laws of the game. But now refereeing plays a huge part in his life and with support from his family, he is flourishing. Oakley talks about the benefits he has found in his life from refereeing and his Mum Polly joins us to talk about the support and networks Oakley has built from his time in the middle. Another interesting perspective from a Northamptonshire official.
2024-02-131h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Building confidence. Oakley Major-Howard talks making it as a youth referee.Coming from great football 'stock,' Oakley Major-Howard has taken up the whistle to learn more about the laws of the game. But now refereeing plays a huge part in his life and with support from his family, he is flourishing. Oakley talks about the benefits he has found in his life from refereeing and his Mum Polly joins us to talk about the support and networks Oakley has built from his time in the middle. Another interesting perspective from a Northamptonshire official.
2024-02-1333 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Mick Matthews - Why would you start refereeing at the age of 58?At the age of 58, most officials are considering hanging up the whistle. But then we meet Mick Matthews. Mick's football career saw him banging in the goals at local level before becoming club assistant for Blisworth. A few years later he was tempted to take up the whistle legitimately and now spends most of his weekend supporting grassroots football from the middle of a football pitch. What inspired him to do this? Find out this week!
2024-02-061h 11For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Andy Humphries - what does it take to be a National League Referee?We welcome back Andy Humphries onto series 2. During our previous chat, Andy was a level 2B. Fast forward 12 months and he is enjoying life on the National League Prem. But what were the changes he made to get there and how is he finding life at the level? An open and honest chat that every aspiring referee should listen to. The boys also have plenty to talk about from the weekend's shenanigans and question if club marks are fit for purpose.
2024-01-301h 23For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!From Coach to Referee - Sam O'Sullivan-Barker's journey to the whistleSam O'Sullivan-Barker tried refereeing 10 years ago and ended up being assaulted. Fast forward to 2024 and he is a coach, a broadcaster and now, thanks in part to the Nene League, has taken the steps to becoming a match official. What made him do it and how did his first venture into refereeing adult football go?
2024-01-231h 13For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Jamie Stevenson - getting into refereeingWhen a player is sick of being a substitute but wants to get into refereeing, they take their chance and accept an offer they can't refuse. A few years later and Jamie Stevenson is refereeing regularly around the country and making strides in the game. He talks to us about his journey so far, how he has recently worked hard on his fitness and the improvements it has made to his game and his aspirations for the future.
2024-01-161h 18For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Darren Brockwell - from referee to ultra runnerWhen you decide to stop refereeing at the age of 39 because of a heart issue, what do you do next? Feet up? Take it easy. Not Darren. Darren got out his trainers and started on a diet of half-marathons, marathons and ultras! Alongside this, Darren is an observer on the National League and chats us through the commitment needed to develop the referees of the future as well as the tips he recommends to improve as a match official! A great listen!
2024-01-091h 13For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Dean Whitestone - Part IIFollowing on from last week, we are joined once again by Mr Dean Whitestone - SG2 referee and Northamptonshire legend. Following on from the first part where he discussed his journey to the professional game, Dean talks about how he has stayed at the top and how he still harbours ambitions to reach the Premier League of referees. Another great listen!
2024-01-021h 19For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 19Merry Christmas to you all! We have made it! Episode 50 and we are so lucky to be joined by the one and only Dean Whitestone! What a terrific episode and chat we had with this legend. 500 EFL appearances says everything you need to know but how did he get there? What can we do as match officials to achieve what Deano has? Have a listen and share your feedback!
2023-12-261h 01For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 18The boys discuss all of the weekend's events including the Dalot red card and the events in Turkey that have marred football this week. They are also joined by Gavin Muge. Gavin is an ex-National League referee and EFL assistant who has recently published a book called 'My Life on the Line.' He talks about his career and how he came about getting a book deal at the first attempt! Episode 49 is another cracker!
2023-12-191h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 17Back again for epsiode 17 and we are joined by the one and only Mr Gary Capps. 'Cappo' is renowned across the county for his man-management and passion for football. He gives his views on how football has changed over the years and how it reflects a breakdown in society. Luke and Wayne also discuss the incidents from the weekend involving Arsenal and Liverpool and also discuss the recent episode with Ian Rathbone and how they are starting to implement it into practice.
2023-12-121h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 16This week we have the pleasure of being joined by IAN RATHBONE. A legend in Northants refereeing circles, he offers advice and thoughts around being a successful match official. He delves into mindset and how that 1% can make a massive difference. You do not want to miss this episode! Ian worked his way up from playing local football to officiating in the Football League. He talks about desire, dedication and self-improvement. A remarkable chat.
2023-12-051h 34For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 15Phoebe Horner followed in the footsteps of her father in taking up the whistle. Following rapid progression, she now finds herself at Level 4 on the male pathway. However, she is also smashing through the female pathway which led to refereeing in front of 6000+ spectators at AFC Bournemouth recently. Find out here what the experience was all about!
2023-11-281h 16For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 14We train a lot physically but do we train mentally? We are joined for a very interesting chat by Ady Brawn, a sports psychologist who discusses what we need to do to mentally prepare for match and game situations. He offers advice on a range of different techniques that can be used to our benefit! Have a listen and let us know what you think!
2023-11-211h 18For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 13What can we do about youth football and what does it take to organise everything that goes into it? We speak to club secretary Nick 'Stan' Inwood and NDYAL Referee Secretary Chris Rowland. They discuss the issues they have found within youth football and consider how they think things can be changed. We also discuss the incidents from the past week .
2023-11-141h 20For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 12This week we discuss all the major incidents from the weekend and even disagree with some of them! Our special guest this week is the one and only Wayne Bright who talks us through his progression from referee to observer. What is even more special is that in between this, Wayne had a cardiac arrest and 'died' for 50 minutes. Luckily, his son and the local nurse saved his life and with the support of his wife Natalie, he is back in the game. An inspirational story!
2023-11-071h 22For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 11We are back for episode 11 and we are joined by our friends from the NPTN podcast! Sam and Jordan talk to us about football, refereeing and announce that we will be joining their new radio show on Shire Sounds! Exciting news!
2023-10-311h 23For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 10Episode 10 sees us welcome Aaron Lloyd who is the new co-lead of NFA Core. He talks us through how it is to be on there and the commitment needed alongside the support that is on offer. We also look at the level of local football and whether the promotion scheme is fair. Harley Collyer also has a go at the quiz. Can she save the reputation of the NFA?
2023-10-171h 14For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 9A packed episode for you to listen to this week. All of the usual debate around the weekend's decisions and then we are joined by STUART BURT who will be talking to us all about training, preparation and mental health in football. A really interesting chat about what goes into being a Premier League official. Oh. And we have some bloke called Gavin McFarlane.
2023-10-101h 19For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 8Another cracking episode with an international flavour...Wales! We are very lucky to be joined by Kim Fisher, FIFA International referee, coach and developer of referees. Don't miss out on the Scotty rants as he gets very excited about the weekend's action! Join us on our socials to let us know what you think!
2023-10-031h 12For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 7We are back! We are joined by Scott Carlin from Cogenhoe United who gives us an insight into his footballing career and his expectations of referees. We also have 'A Minute to Win it' with Jamie Stevenson and as usual we unpick the weekend football! Now click on subscribe and give us a listen!
2023-09-261h 12For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 6This week we are joined by David Avent. Dave has recently retired from Football League duty at the age of 35 but what has convinced him to give up his position so soon? Tune in and find out what actually happened with the disallowed penalty at Newcastle United and how this impacted the rest of his career.
2023-09-121h 07For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 5A great episode of refereeing chat and discussion. Can social media improve your refereeing? We have Perry Gascoine joining us fresh from the IBSA World Cup Final! What an emotional and inspiring interview! We also have the quiz! Can we remove Luke Scott from the top of the leaderboard? Tune in to find out!
2023-09-051h 28For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 4Part 2 of the Woolmer experience. How did he get to the top of the game? What are the future plans? We are chatting all about the incidents over the weekend and in particular the Newcastle v Liverpool game. We have Harry Price on a Minute to Win it but he also gives us a brief insight about his National League debut!
2023-08-291h 19For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 3An absolute beauty of an episode! We chat about the Women's World Cup Final, we invite referee Joe England on to try and take Luke's crown on our quiz and we have the Northants refereeing G.O.A.T Andy Woolmer joining us for what is a great insight into how he go to the upper echelons of the game!
2023-08-221h 11For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 2We are back with the second episode of the series. Lots to talk about this week with a lot of discussion around timekeeping and how the key stakeholders of the game are reacting to the shift in the mood of football. We also have Ben Pateman on the show. He discusses his transition in attitude and how football differs from ice hockey! We also have our new 'gameshow' called 'A Minute to Win it! Tune in!
2023-08-151h 14For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 2 Episode 1A brief comeback episode where the boys will be discussing the Summer and what they have been up to! They will also discuss the current refereeing topics of timekeeping and the increase in cautions! They will also outline the plans for the season and introduce the new game called 'A Minute to Win it!' We now release every Tuesday so make sure you subscribe on all the usual platforms!
2023-08-0839 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 31 - the final one!We made it! Episode 31 of the first season and our little break is now here! We talk about the Europa League final and the FA Cup final and the handball law! We also talk to Olly Mackey about his first season in charge of the referees in Northants and also announce our seasonal awards! Finally, who will win the quiz of the year? Tune in and join us for the final countdown!
2023-06-051h 18For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 30The penultimate episode of the season is a fantastic one! We are joined by Liam Bailey-Shaw of Wilby FC and Harry Price who has just been promoted to level 3. We talk about promotions, the system and the effort needed to get to the next level. Tune into episode 30!
2023-05-281h 17For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 29The SMD has the week off so we have invited Harley Collyer along! Harley is in charge of women and girls football in the county but she pushed this aside to take the flag for the NTFA finals weekend. How did she get on? Tune in to find out more!
2023-05-211h 09For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 28A rant about social media, the host getting pied off whilst coaching and a great chat with Joe Woolmer about his refereeing career and the impact his Dad has had and may possibly have on it going forward. An honest chat which delves into how the County need to push some of the younger referees. Join us for episode 28 and another wonderful insight into the world of Northants refereeing.
2023-05-151h 07For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 27A Team Daisy special when the boys talk about the recent challenge on the Isle of Wight! There is also big news about a retirement of one of our top referees. Tune in to find out about all the teamwork it tool to complete the challenge!
2023-05-071h 12For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 26A fun episode for number 26. Where is the SMD? Will Luke make it after the London Marathon? We are joined by Andy Wilson, a Contrib observer and by Adam O'Connor who takes on Six of the Best. Tune in to find out!
2023-04-241h 15For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 25When will behaviour improve? Would you allow your own child to be a referee? We speak to the McLauchlan family this week. Jason is the Referee Secretary for the Weetabix League and has recently taken up the whistle. His two sons, Lewis and Rylan, are both referees too. We chat to them about their experiences. Luke and Wayne talk all about the upcoming cup finals and refereeing topics including pitch inspections! Remember to subscribe!
2023-04-161h 09For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 24The boys are reunited for Episode 24 as we discuss all the incidents from the weekend. Is VAR fit for purpose? Should the same teams be receiving three apologies in the same season? Do referees try to be too clever? We discuss with Luke his incident from a midweek game. Also, we are joined by two special guests this week when we have the Fullicks, Stacey and Richard, join us to discuss their journey on the female pathway of refereeing and how we can inspire the next generation of female officials. Came and join us!
2023-04-101h 33For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 23We are back for episode 23 and this time we have to bring in the sub as co-host Luke Scott is off on his travels and the SMD is celebrating her birthday! Not to worry though as we have our usual mix of mirth and ranting. Co-host makes up for Luke's absence with a few rants of his own! Special guest this week is Northamptonshire import Errol Souter who talks to us about how he has moved from player and manager to referee. Tune in and give us a like!
2023-04-031h 15For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 22Another great chat with a young referee. This week we have Ralph Seckington joining us to talk about the transition from youth refereeing to adult football. We have Mr Ranty going off on one and Six of the Best with Kev Seckington. Don't forget to subscribe!
2023-03-261h 15For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 21Episode 21 brings some rants about the current refereeing climate and the level of abuse in the game! Added to this, we discuss all the incidents from the weekend including the Man United v Fulham game. Our guest this week is Olly Mackey who updates us on his role with the County FA. He also discusses the future plans for refereeing in the County.
2023-03-201h 08For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 20We are back with Episode 20! After a week's break, we have Joe Rich as our special guest. Joe is a local manager and talks to us all about his perception of referees and how it has changed over his career. Harry Price joins us on Six of the Best and we discuss all the latest footballing news and refereeing stories.
2023-03-121h 14For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 19This week we have Alex Compton joining us. Alex is a very happy referee. He referees youth football and has little aspiration to move into adult football so what inspires and enthuses him to continue? Find out in Episode 19!
2023-02-271h 04For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 18This week we are joined by two guests with Northants Telegraph reporter Jon Dunham and his newly qualified referee son Leo talking to us about VAR, refereeing and how Jon refereed his one and only game. His son Leo has already made great progress in the little time he has been refereeing and he talks to us about his future ambitions. As usual, we discuss the incidents of the weekend and rant less than we did in previous weeks. Darrell Horner joins us on Six of the Best - will he join Chris and Jamie at the top of...
2023-02-201h 13For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 17Another cracking episode with so much packed in! We talk about the VAR decisions from the weekend and then we chatted to our good friend Seth Galia. He tells us all about his progression and about the football pyramid in Gibraltar. Really interesting. We also have Jamie Stevenson on and he tackles Six of the Best! Thank you for all of your support. Keep subscribing!
2023-02-121h 39For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 16A cracker of an episode with Chris Knowles. This giant of a man discusses his transition from rugby to football and back again! A great chat and yet another insight into football refereeing!
2023-02-051h 22For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 15Critic or fan? Andy Humphries joins us this week to discuss his journey from goalkeeper to National League. Who cuts Terry Whenham's toenails now he is injured? Subscribe to us to listen to all the fun and games in Northamptonshire and Malawi!
2023-01-301h 11For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 14Another top episode this week as we speak to Terry Whenham! Terry has been involved in football over a number of years as player, administrator and referee. He talks about his good friend Richard Beeby and we discuss the promotion pathway and why he still loves refereeing in the Autumn of his career. We discuss Jon's question of the week and think about the lack of football that has been played recently! We also try to get back to the Number 1 spot in Malawi!
2023-01-231h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 13Getting to Level 3 by the age of 22. What were the secrets of getting to the level at such a young age? We also talk to Errol Souter who takes on 'Six of the Best' - will Luke maintain his streak? Don't forget to subscribe and come and visit us on our social media channels!
2023-01-151h 11For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 12We are joined this week by Phoebe Horner who talks about her journey in football refereeing. Female referees are breaking down barriers in male professional football and we hear how Phoebe is working towards her promotion ambitions. We talk about the Liverpool goal from the FA Cup at the weekend and from the Cobblers game on Sky. We also meet Nathan Japp who talks us through the 20 questions. Don't forget to subscribe!
2023-01-091h 19For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 11Ever wondered about the processes of being at a WORLD CUP? Listen to Stuart Burt as he talks about how he got chosen for the Brazil v Croatia game and how he found out he was coming home. An amazing insight into the mindset of a professional official!
2023-01-011h 12For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 10 - Christmas SpecialEpisode 10 and our Christmas Special! Stuart Burt has returned from Qatar and joins us in this episode and discusses the journey from youth football to the pinnacle of any match official's career. He talks about how he found out he was selected for the World Cup and the hard work and commitment he has had to give to maintain his stay on the Premier League. This exclusive extended interview will open eyes into the skills and effort needed to get to the top. We also have the Social Media Director on Six of the Best and Seth Galia is...
2022-12-261h 39For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 9A great episode this week. We talk to Gareth Viccars who has gone from grassroots football to the professional game. However, all is not as simple as it seems. Gareth has battle weight issues and an addiction to alcohol. He discusses both in this insightful episode. We also discuss the refereeing in the World Cup Final and the key match decisions within it! Don't forget to subscribe.
2022-12-181h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 8We love our podcast and this week we discuss all about us! We chat to Chris Rowland on the quiz, talk about our celebrity listener Stuart Burt and find out which ref is answering the 20 questions! Come and join us!
2022-12-1251 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 7The boys are back with the latest episode. In the run up to Christmas they discuss holiday fixtures and whether they enjoy them or not. This week's interview is with Darrell Horner who talks about how he came from Germany all the way to Hunsbury and all that is in between. Thomas Cooke gets grilled on 'It's all about you Ref!' and Sam Lee attempts to knock Joe Woolmer off the top of the leaderboard! Join us once again for lots of fun and laughter.
2022-12-051h 27For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 6In this week's episode we discuss refereeing community and how clubs look after referees so well. We highlight how we are still seeing the same faces at clubs and discuss if this is sustainable at grassroots level. We talk about the late, great Gerry Lucas who sadly passed away this week. His contribution to local football is celebrated.
Our surprise guest in 'It's all about you Ref!' is Rob Evans who answers twenty random questions. Who are his refereeing influences? Our main guest is Bev Strong, Potton United Secretary, who discusses her role and why referees g...
2022-11-281h 00For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 5Episode 5 sees us talk to a Northamptonshire legend. We welcome Tony Major, a man who has invested 60 years of his life into supporting others in local football. However, this is a refereeing podcast so the questions also move towards his brief experience as a referee and the generations of his family who are staying involved in local football through officiating. An interesting chat!
2022-11-2154 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 4Have you ever had to improvise as a referee? What have you forgotten? Have you ever refereed without a whistle? Listen to the hilarious story of Callum White who went to watch a County FA game and ended up refereeing it! We also talk to James 'Slim' Campbell about his transition from referee to observer to FA CORE Coach. He also pays a touching tribute to Barry Firmin. It's all on our weekly podcast. Make sure you subscribe on Apple and Spotify!
2022-11-131h 10For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 3Why are bald referees so successful? Who is the best ginger referee at the NFA? All of the key questions are investigated in the latest episode! We also talk to new RDO Olly Mackey and discuss the career of ex-referee, broadcaster and average darts player Gav Mack.
2022-11-061h 15
Running TalesWayne Chalmers: Daisy’s dad on Isle of Wight Challenge and bereavement suite to honour his daughterThis week we have some really good news about one of our previous Running Tales guests and the charity he and his family run.Back in October 2020, we spoke to Wayne Chalmers about Team Daisy, a charity formed after his baby daughter Daisy sadly passed away just an hour after being born.It has now been revealed that Northampton Hospital, where Daisy was born, has launched a fundraising appeal for a new bereavement suite for families who experience the devastating loss of a baby....
2022-11-0130 minFor Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 2A wonderful chat with Kev Seckington and Aaron Lloyd about their experiences and how they will go forward in their respective careers. We discuss pre-match music and consider how well pundits know the laws of the game. We also talk about referees having their faces on their cards. Is it right?
2022-10-311h 04
For Ref's Sake! - The podcast for football referees everywhere!Season 1 Episode 1This week we talk to Chris Rowland about his role as Referee Appointing Officer for the NDYAL. We discuss how we both got into refereeing and the best grounds we have been at! Finally, we have Jamie on from the Talking Football Podcast who talks about his own expectations of referees when managing his Sunday league team.
2022-10-241h 19
Running TalesWayne Chalmers: Running in memory of my daughter, DaisyRunning had never been a big part of Wayne Chalmers' life.Aside from the odd bit of training to keep fit as a referee, he - in his own words - "didn't really like running".His relationship with the sport changed, though, when his baby daughter Daisy sadly died just an hour after being born.Not one to stand idle, Wayne launched Team Daisy; a charity aimed at raising money for local causes and honouring the memory of his daughter.
2020-10-0232 min