This week we speak to Ron James. Ron has had a long and varied career in football starting from a playing career, refereeing and administration in football.

Ron is well-known in local footballing circles and is definitely a character! However, Ron is also passionate about referee development and protecting the key stakeholders in the game. Make sur e you tune in!

A good chat this week about the transition to refereeing from playing. What is the attraction? Is there one? Where is the next generation of referees coming from for adult football and does social media have a part to play?

This week we are joined by Ryan Eldred - we discuss how self-reflection is important in refereeing and how we need to dig deep sometimes to show resilience.

We talk about our approach to refereeing and how this is impacted by the level of the game and the expectations of the key stakeholders in the game. A very interesting episode.

On this week's episode, we talk to local footballing legend Charlie Fleming. He talks about football in the 80s and how he feels it has changed over time. He talks about how refereeing has changed and the changes he feels should be made.

As usual, we also talk all the latest issues and see if Luke has recovered from his injury! We also discuss outside interference. Another great episode.

Sunday 17th November 2024 and Rob is refereeing a game between Northants All Stars and Northampton Exiles in the Nene League. He hasn't been feeling well. The next thing he remembers is waking up surrounded by strangers. Thanks to the expertise of a local healthcare professional, Rob was put into an ambulance and taken to hospital. That was his battle commencing to get back to refereeing but this wasn't the first battle Rob had faced in his life.

In this episode we discuss mental health and how refereeing has had a huge impact on Rob's life. A fascinating and often thought-provoking episode. The episode highlights the importance of talking and the bravery shown throughout is a superb listen.

This week, during the international break, we are joined by Liam Bailey-Shaw. He tells us why he has been impressed by the influx of young referees in the County this season and makes us howl with one of the greatest refereeing stories we have heard for a long time! Make sure you give us a listen!

Delving back into the grassroots game, we talk to David Evans. Not only is David a newly-promoted referee operating at Level 4, but he also has vast experience in managing a team, refereeing rugby and is now also mentoring his son who has recently taken up the whistle.

We also chat about all the latest debate around refereeing! Don't forget to subscribe to our socials and give us a follow!

Eric Edge was an academy goalkeeper whose career took him to America. He continued playing at a semi-professional level in England before deciding to take up the whistle but what made him make that decision?

We chat to Eric about the challenges of a move into officiating along his hobby of documenting much of his work on social media. Eric has his own pages on YouTube and Instagram and shares his thoughts about social media.

As usual, we talk referee development and all about the latest goings-on in the world of football.

This week's special guest is the 'Grassroots Guy' himself Rohan Anund. His team have developed the wonderful app called Centre Circle which has revolutionised referee appointing and support.

We talk all about how the app was started, developed and what it has in store for us in the future. Rohan talks all about his love for football and how his passion for grassroots football drives him to ensure the app continues to grow and create success.

As usual, we have chat all about the latest refereeing decisions and some development advice around positioning and dissent.

Some brilliant discussion this week. Are we in an observer crisis? Is the future, talent identification? James 'Slim' Campbell is Regional Co-ordinator for CORE and a former observer. He talks candidly about his love of the game, love of refereeing and what he would have done differently if he had been coaching himself.