...from page three

Indeed, I have to say I was absolutely appalled to read the views expressed by Fraser and his counterpart Brian Reade from the Mirror. The former appears to be a rather failed psychologist, having claimed that, "Referees are human, though all spawned from the same sort of gene. Refereeing is their revenge for having been picked on in their early years.They tried to play football but failed. So they started whistling and never stopped."

Well, once again, Mr Fraser: everybody has 23 genes; I haven't been bullied in earlier life and so cannot be taking revenge; I chose to start refereeing instead of playing; and I often apply the advantage clause, and thus stop whistling!!

Brian Reade seems even worse that his Mail counterpart. he pins all the problems of the game on the referee by stating," The problem was, the amateur with the whistle.. [who] has reduced a high-cost, high-speed, ultra-professional form of entertainment to a primary school game of rounders".

Well, I know we are 'amateurs', but we always have been, and it was the votes of Premier League chairmen that prevented some referees from becoming professional this season! I very much doubt that refereeing has damaged the game. Reade says that we, "see [ourselves] as above the law and view comments from the games professionals with contempt", - in actual fact, a breakdown in discipline from the professional players is surely to blame. We aren't above the law, the apply them. Moreover, we have to treat most things professionals say with contempt because, let's face it' most of them haven't got a clue what the hell they're talking about!! If they have ever picked up a copy of the laws, its likely to date from about 20 years ago!!

Is it any surprise that referees come under continuing, and worsening, abuse when alleged 'experts' print absolute drivel about the qualifications we possess- which only serves to provide further scope for the mindless idiots who have no other purpose in life but to abuse, taunt and discriminate against us!

Anthony Moore.