Check out the following link to a story of a Referee in the Peterborough Sunday League...Ref Sends Himself Off
Carol Sylvester wife of Melvin "He punched the player several times - just lost it. Then he sent himself
off"
"Trophy-dusting is entirely his responsibility" says Carol Sylvester, wife
of Melvin, who Referees four games every weekend in Hampshire. "I'd like him
to give it up, though I'd never tell him that"
It's not hard to understand her lack of enthusiasm. On the pitch, Melvin 43,
gets involved an as much aggro as Vinnie Jones. Every week, there is some
hassle. Last year, he punched a player. "I thought it was quite comical,
actually", insists Carol, who is also 43. "He punched the player several
times - lost it completely. But then he sent himself off. That's an historic
first. I always knew one day he would snap, because he's quite volatile. But
the fact he was then able to control himself again and show himself the red
card - I didn't predict that"
As result Melvin was banned from Refereeing for six weeks and said he was
hanging up his whistle for good. Carol had her doubts. She was right - too.
Like a heroin addict, he just couldn't keep away. First it was "just boy's
games," then it was a few men's games on Saturday's. "Soon enough there will
be another brawl," says Carol. "And he'll have to show himself a red card
again".
Melvin's answer is unconvincing: "At least I'm not as bad as the African Ref
who got so fed up that he shot one of the players," he says.
A note from Mark Field
On the 1st of August a small but hardened gambling group of RA members visited the home of horse racing Newmarket racecourse. Betting was of the first order with the leading contender David Seaman trying something new to him, a ‘placepot’ bet on the tote. Of all of us that tried all but David blew out on the first race. Not David, he kept us hanging on and just needed a place in the Final race to share a not inconsiderable sum of money. But like his horse he fell at the last hurdle, and this was a flat racing event. His horse came in 5th and we all had to buy our own beer afterwards.
The highlight of the rest of the evening was a fantastic show by ‘Status Quo’ and most of the sell out crowd stayed to enjoy them.
Paul McCaul our social secretary arranged the evening and we thank him for that.
Why not come and join us next year as this seems to becoming an annual event. Look out for information on the website ‘Diary dates’ page.
Alan Poulain
Thanks
Alison Turner
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