1. Name?
    Gary Wilson

  2. Age?
    39

  3. How long have you been refereeing?
    Started in 1996

  4. What Level are you and what leagues do you officiate on?
    Contributory Assistant and UCL Referee

  5. Why did you become a Referee?
    Some of you guys might not like this but I felt I could do a better job than some referees officiating at the level I was playing at.

  6. Most inspirational person in your refereeing?
    During the last close season I was struggling with the fitness test and all those who encourage me to persevere, especially Dave Bryan who told me that I couldn’t fail, as he needed me.

  7. Most memorable moment since refereeing?
    Officiating at Carrow Road in the FA Youth Cup when Norwich City played Newcastle Utd. Even though it was a youth game there must have been over 1,000 noisy people there.

  8. What is the funniest moment in any of your games?
    I love comments from the crowd. Recently at Cambridge City, I correctly arranged for a Stafford Rangers winger to be dismissed. This resulted in a lot of comments from Stafford fans behind me. One particular guy on the 18-yard line kept shouting "you’re crap" every time I ran past for at least half an hour. This was tame when compared to other comments I was receiving but made me smile every time.

  9. What is the worst or frustrating moment in any of your games?
    When it starts to go wrong. You know its happening, but find it hard to get back to your normal standards and then you lose the enjoyment. Fortunately it doesn’t happen too often.

  10. What ambitions do you have whether refereeing or having given up the whistle...
    In one year?
    I would love to be at the next level but think I’m getting too old.

    In five years?
    I would like to still be officiating at the level I am or above or if unable to do this be assessing.

    In ten years?
    I would like be an assessor and try to assess at a higher level than I officiated at, if poss.

  11. Before each game you officiate on, what aims do you have?
    To enjoy and reach the standards I know I can obtain.

  12. What most frustrates you on the field?
    Players, who think they know the "rules". It frustrates me that ex-pros do not know the offside law, even defenders.

  13. What pleases you most on the field?
    Satisfaction of knowing that I have obtained the standards I require and have dealt with correctly whatever has occurred in the game.

  14. What one change, if any, would you like to see in today’s game?
    More ammunition to be able to deal with dissent. I know we can caution but a team penalty such as advancing the ball 10 yards I am sure would help

  15. Is there any one piece of advice you would give to anyone considering taking up the whistle?
    Do it early. I thought about commencing refereeing for years before I actually did anything about it.

  16. Is there any one piece of advice you would give to another referee?
    Don’t be afraid to listen to advice or criticism from colleagues or assessors.

  17. Hobbies & Interests outside of football?
    I used to be a season ticket holder at Cambridge Utd before commencing refereeing. I follow them from afar now. Sad eh!

  18. Who is your favourite footballer of all time?
    Easy. David Beckham. From being the most hated footballer in England after the 98 World Cup to becoming a God like figure, respected around the World and the most influential captain England have ever had who will lift the World Cup in Germany.