Happy Christmas and welcome to the December meeting.

In recent years we have had various debates and discussions with various leagues about the standards expected by the referee and by the clubs. On many occasions we have a moan about clubs and clubs have a moan about referees. This is not a problem specific to Altrincham and it is interesting to note another areas approach to this.
The Reading League have issued a pocket sized laminated card (rather like our membership card) and as posters within dressing rooms, giving a charter for clubs and referees.
This is not only states what is expected from clubs but also what is expected from referees. I am sure with the standards clearly laid down between clubs and referees we can easily see who is failing in their duties. For the record the Charters state:-

REFEREES CHARTER
Keep Referees Secretary advised of all available dates
Arrive at the match at least 45 minutes prior to kick off.
Check the pitch and goal nets prior to kick off.
Senior Division matches check the rope is correctly errected and all around the pitch
Pre match instructions to club linesmen well before kick off - Thank then after the game
Start Matches at the designated kick off time report team responsible for late starts. (remember seven players constitutes a team)\ Complete and send the referees result card after the match.
Thank you for your co-operation

CLUBS CHARTER
Confirm the match with the referee at least 48 hours before the game
Have a club member meet the referee when he arrives
Present the referee with two clean match balls in his dressing room before kick off
Senior Division - Team Sheet to Referee and opposition at least 10 mins prior to kick off.
Inform the referee the names of the substitutes before kick off (Max5)
Thank the referee and shake his hand after the match (even if he did not do as well as you would have liked.)
Pay the referee his expenses immediately after the match Phone the result and score to ......
Something for the various league to think about. Happy refereeing and see you in the new year, regards