Jibes just part of game for award-winning Monklands referee

Nov 18 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

“ARE yer eyes painted on ref?”

Alan MacFadyen has heard it all before, whether it be at an amateur game on a public park in Monklands or from the terracing at grounds in the unforgiving Ayrshire juniors.

Welcome to life as a referee.

The role of ‘man in the middle’ is an often thankless job, hence the reason why ever-declining numbers are coming through the ranks with a whistle in their hand.

But Alan has ignored the name-calling and sideline snipers and was recently rewarded for his persistence in forging a career as a referee.

At a glitzy bash at the Dalziel Park Country Club, the 29-year-old was presented with The Willie Brown Award. The prize is allocated by senior referees to a young official who has already made an outstanding contribution to the game.

Not bad for someone who only took up refereeing by accident a couple of years ago after getting his dates mixed up.

“I was doing my coaching badges and was going to what I thought was a coaching class,” says Alan, who lives in Blairhill.

“But I turned up on the wrong night and when I arrived I saw that a 10-week refereeing course was about to start, so I decided to stay for it.”

He is glad he did. Alan’s refereeing journey still has some way to go if he wants to realise his dream of officiating a senior football match, but this award keeps the fires of motivation burning.

“I found out in September that I had been nominated,” he said. “I then got the award a month later.

“It was a proud night for me.

“I got the award because I was taking harder games, training three times a week and was receiving glowing reports. It is a big vote of confidence.

“It was great to speak with people like Hugh Dallas, and the senior referees do look after you. Brian Winter and Steven Nicholls, for example, have been a great help to me.

“You are invited along to train with them and they tell you about their games and decisions. They come and watch you in action as well.”

Alan was formerly a player at amateur level, although he openly admits he was a better golfer than footballer. However, you quickly form the impression that he wouldn’t give up his whistle for a four iron too easily these days.

“It’s like a drug,” says Alan, a medical company worker by day. “You get to visit new places every week and I like making the big decisions. I have never had any second thoughts about what I do.

“There’s hassle during a game but afterwards everything is fine. A lot of what you hear is just banter and you just smile to yourself when you hear things like ‘are your eyes painted on?’

“I believe players do respect the referee and I think the same is true of committee members and fans. If you take the time to explain a decision, they appreciate it even if they still don’t agree with you.

“I would encourage anyone thinking of taking up a refereeing course to do it. There are bad days at the beginning but it does get better and you do receive a lot of support.

“The next step for me is refereeing junior games and that will happen after Christmas. It will be three years before I am officiating at senior games but that is something I am working towards.”

Alan may only have been officiating for two years, but a career as a referee has already earned him a number of good memories.

“I remember refereeing a Hearts Legends’ match at Tynecastle,” he recalls. “The Champions League music came on as we were walking down the tunnel. It was a superb experience and reminded me why I chose to do this.”