FL2: Bournemouth v Torquay United 28th Dec 2009

From: STEWART [mailto:stewart.frazier@btinternet.com]
Sent: 28 December 2009 19:15
To: FL
Subject: Jarnail Singh

Sirs

Not sure if this is the correct address for this type of communication, if not please excuse my lack of knowledge and forward it to the appropriate recipient.

I have just returned from watching the League 2 match Bournemouth v Torquay United and witnessed the most appalling display of refereeing it has ever been my misfortune to see in 55 years as a spectator. These are not simply sour grapes on my part because my team lost.

This man issued 12 yellow cards in the course of the game, three of which were justified as a result of fouls, and the remaining nine for reasons which escaped everyone in the ground. Owing to his obvious desire to draw attention to himself, he has completely ruined the game as a spectacle for all present and particularly for players who have been put on edge by receiving yellow cards for non-existent offences.

I would implore you to obtain a copy of the match DVD from AFC Bournemouth and, having studied it carefully, debar this man from ever again being permitted to officiate at a match in the top half dozen levels of the pyramid.

Stewart Frazier
Southampton
(Torquay United supporter)



Dear Mr Frazier

Thank you for your email. We will ensure Professional Game Match Officials – the body responsible for the management and administration of match officials is made aware of your views.

We receive numerous queries and complaints regarding individual referee's decisions and their overall performance. Although we are unable to respond on each individual incident, we can advise that the performances of all officials are constantly monitored by way of club and assessor reports, the match video or DVD and, at some grounds, the Prozone statistics. The match is also analysed by the Referees' Manager, referee's coach and the referee and, despite the perception of some, match officials are most accountable for their performance.

Referees make their decision based on years of training and experience and what they see at that moment in time, from a position different from anyone else in the ground - he can only act on what he sees, assisted by the other match officials and not everyone will agree with the decisions he takes.

Contrary to expectations, the Referees' Manager will not attempt to support a referee out of sheer loyalty. It is his responsibility through Professional Game Match Officials to identify training needs of not only individual referees but also of all National Group officials.

The Manager also works with his group in a bid to constantly improve standards in a game which has become faster and more frenetic over recent years. Every match is recorded and referees are under closer scrutiny than ever before.

We trust this reassures you that procedures are in place to improve performances and thank you for contacting The Football League with your view.

Patricia Brown
Customer Service
The Football League
www.football-league.co.uk

The Football League Ltd. Registered Office - Edward VII Quay, Navigation Way, Preston PR2 2YF. Registered No: 80612. Tel: 0844 463 1888. Fax: 0844 826 5188.

London Office - 30 Gloucester Place, London, W1U 8FL. Fax: 0844 826 3103


I wasn't actually expecting a reply at all, so was quite pleased to receive this, although whether it will produce any action is purely a matter for conjecture.

Hmm, i'd like to say, that i think everybody was watching a different match to me as i thought the ref had a good game! ..................................sadly i agree with all thats been said, the poor bloke was awful to have both sets of fans chanting "you dont know what your doing " at the same time says it all .

That said i thought our defence lacked organisation and confidence and we played too deep at times, but there you go roll on brighton !!

anyone know how many of the yellow army was there ? seemed like loads. well done the lads well played and well done all of you there the standing ovation aat the end of the game really made me proud to be tufc supporter !!!!!!!!!!

Patricia Brown
Customer Service
The Football League
www.football-league.co.uk

A very well written email by Stewart but its not the FA relpying, its the public relations department of the football league .

"I was pushed in the back and wasn't surprised when he gave it. If I hadn't felt any contact, I would have stayed on my feet and tried to score" ~ AFCB striker Brett Pitman incriminating himself as to the fact he felt contact, not enough to force him down but enough to persuade him to go down.

Now you see the ref's dilemma....................a defender stupid enough to put his hands on a forward in the penalty area who is cute enough to con the referee as to the strength of the contact.

On viewing the evidence time and time again as Leigh has done I come to the same conclusion as he did in that the referee was perfectly entitled to give that penalty from a strictly technical point of view and that is all the defence he needs to make of his decision...................especially with the linesman indicating his agreement in the proper manner of flag accross chest.

The real villain is Lee Mansell, who not for the
first time (Crawley away last season springs to mind) has given a referee the opportunity to penalise him in the box through poor technique..................at Crawley it was dangerous play through high kicking which the ref interpreted wrongly as contact (penalty)when all it was, was dangerous play (indirect free kick) which just goes to show that even professionals let themselves down under pressure through either poor technique or indiscipline ~ not pillorying Manse here it just a fact of life. Paul Buckle covered in his post match interview how he had emphatically warned the players about such indiscipline/poor technique in the box given the nature of the game, crowd and state of mind of the referee; and he was sadly proved right.

The referee might have had a "mare" as regards losing control and handing out ridiculous bookings, but I don't think we can confidently pin either of the goals conceded on him.

The TFF has been asked many times just what does Barton Downs carry in that rucksack he takes everywhere he goes.

he kindly agreed to show me and I can now bring you a picture of the contents along with descriptions of all the items.





1. Carry bag - The entire kit fits into this pouch and then fits in into Nicks rucksack
2. Aqua-Pouch Water Bag/Bladder - Water is essential. Having a way of taking water with you gives you a much greater range to search for help or explore. This product stands on it's own, can hold boiling water, can be frozen, has a 1 liter line for use with purification tablets, and has grommets to run string through so it can be slung over a shoulder. Excellent product.
3. Basic Mosquito Head Net - Could greatly reduce discomfort in the wild.
4. Emergency Poncho - Stay dry, stay warm.
5. Emergency Space Blanket - Stay warm, stay alive.
6. Emergency Sun Glasses - Could be essential for water/snow glare.
7. Sierra Cup (1cup/250ml) - Boil water, tea, food.
8. SAS Survival Guide Handbook - Compact version of the original which includes vital information on surviving in every type of environment imaginable.
9. Fishing/Sewing/First Aid Kit - Assorted Fishing Hooks (~75), Assorted Spit Shot Fishing Weights (~75), Assorted Sewing Needles (~25), Assorted Safety Pins (~25), Razorblades (5), Aspirin (~50), Benadryl Antihistamine (~50), Generic Anti-Diarrheal Tablets (~50), No-Doz Caffeine Tablets (~20)
10. Leatherman New Wave - The greatest multi-tool to date. If Nick could only take a single item, that would probably be it.
11. BigCat Nylon Braided Fishing Line - 150 yards and 27lb test strength. Nick read that braided line is much more durable, longer lasting, and isn't inclined to twist up on itself. he also heard you should store the line in a dark area as sunlight will weaken it over time.
12. White Plastic Worms - These plain white plastic worms are harder to find than you might think Most of what you'll find is covered in scented goo, which is unneccessary. These can be cut up to look like little white grubs, which are irresistable to most fish, and they never go bad.
13. Soft Brass Snare Wire - Set those traps and let the food come to you. The SAS handbook above details how to construct tons of traps with excellent illustrations.
14. Fox 40 Micro Whistle - Pealess design won't ever break. Extremely loud, exceeds SOLAS and USCG specification.
15. Assorted Thread
16. Folding Utility Knife - A safety folding razor blade. Would work well as an improvised scalpel incase of a medical emergency.
17. Lighter
18. Measuring Tape -. Nick figures if anything, it may help keep the mind occupied in times of boredom (by measuring miscellaneous things). And keeping the mind busy can help save your life.
19. Mini Roll Duct Tape - 2 rolls, 2x100 inches each. And we all know there are a million uses for duct tape don’t we Nick
20. Silva Compass + Signal Mirror - This isn't the exact model but very similiar. Compass + mirror, enough said.
21. Fresnel Lens - 5x magnification. Can be used for starting fires. Weighs practically nothing, some people carry one in their wallets.
22. Swedish Firesteel Scout Model – Nick bought this one from Argos, it was the only one they had. Had he known, he would have ordered the Army Model from Amazon.
23. Potable Water Tablets - Works great with the Aqua-Pouch since you can measure exactly 1 liter of water.
24. Bobbers

1. Book
2. Newspaper
3. Railway timetable
4. On Monday: seasonal fruit eaten before the game to avoid confiscation.

Dave, I don't know how you find this stuff but it's always fun to Google search afterwards: www.bunkerhollow.com/blogs/matt/archive/2009/12/01/825.aspx

Bunker Hollow? All a bit over-the-top for a walk along the Undercliff before the game.

I did offer the bag for searching at the turnstile but the steward cheerfully answered "can't be arsed, mate!" I guess a fair few of Bunker Hollow's twenty-four items may have been taken from me. Perhaps Steve 004 can advise for future reference?

Mind you, I have had newspapers removed from my possession at Gillingham and Scunthorpe....

I must get some white plastic worms and bobbers for my Chesterfield trip.....