The Lancashire Amateur League is continually looking to improve standards. The quality of grounds, facilities and player and club discipline is crucial to attracting and retaining match officials.
As part of that process, we welcome any suggestions as to how we might continue to successfully attract, retain and help with the development of our match officials.
We remain in need of more match officials. Any additional help would be greatly appreciated on a full/part time/occasional basis. Please contact Jimmy Garsrud 07841 990610 or [email protected]
Our fee for Match Referees for league and cup games for 2024/25 is £45 plus travel at 30p per mile and the fee for Assistant Referees at £25 plus travel at 30p per mile. Travel expenses are from the officials' home address.
CLUB ASSISTANT REFEREES
It is the Lancashire Amateur League's policy that referees officiating in our league and cup competitions should use Club Assistant Referees to the fullest of their ability.
MARKING OF REFEREES
It is vitally important that referees' marks are also sent in on the LAL 6 form using the marking system which has been updated.
The FA now require the mark to be broken into three elements.
- Overall decision making. Marked from 1 to 40. (eg: General fouls, Handballs, throw ins etc)
- Judgement of major decisions. Marked from 1 to 30 (eg: Penalty decision’s, Send Off, Bookings etc)
- Overall control. Marked from 1 to 30. (eg: Flow of game, discipline, players behaviour etc)
The FA Guide to Marking pdf can be found by clicking HERE
If you give a mark below 61 you MUST provide a reason why.
This allows us to monitor the standard of refereeing in the league, and is also valuable to identify our highly-rated officials when appointing for cup finals or when giving awards at the end of the season.
Clubs are strongly encouraged to write words of praise or to note concerns about individual refereeing performance so that these can be passed on constructively. This can be regardless of the score given, even if above 61. This is your opportunity to highlight excellence just as much as to offer suggestions on how the official could improve his or her performance.
REFEREES' INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these instructions carefully, as they may differ from those of other competitions. ALL instructions must be fully complied with by each referee.
1. Once you have provided the Referees’ Hon Sec with your open dates for the month ahead it is expected that you close those dates with all other Leagues. The only exception to this is subsequently being appointed to a County Cup game.
2. In accordance with League Rule 23 home clubs must confirm the game with the appointed referee at least 48 hours before the date of the match and the referee must acknowledge the appointment within 24 hours of that contact.
3. Referees who find themselves available after originally closing that date should notify the Referees’ Hon Sec accordingly.
4. Should a referee find themselves unable to fulfil an appointment for whatever reason they should notify the home club and the Referees’ Hon Sec immediately.
5. Travelling expenses are calculated from the referee’s home address to the ground and back and the referee should record those expenses on the LAL4 match sheet plus those of the assistants if appointed. All expenses are collated and equalised at the end of the season.
6. If a referee travels to a game and has to call it off because of pitch conditions the referee is entitled to half the match fee plus expenses. If the game is not played for any other reason the referee is entitled to the full fee and expenses.
7. Matches must commence at the appointed time and the referee should be on the pitch ready to start the game. Any late kick offs or teams that do not field a full side must be reported to the Discipline Hon Sec. If either side has not arrived 15 minutes after the stated kick off time (Saturdays only) the referee at his / her discretion may call the game off.
8. All matches shall be played under the Laws of the Football Association, and the provision of goal nets, corner flags and a First Aid kit (within two yards of the touch line and at the centre line) and an adequately marked out pitch is compulsory under League rules and is the responsibility of the
home club. Any inadequacies should be reported on the match report form. In addition, a separate changing room is to be provided for referees, which it is expected all referees will use. This shall have direct access to showering/ bathing and toilet facilities.
9. If there is a clash of colours then it is the responsibility of the home team to change.
10. The LAL4 team sheet should be handed fully completed to the referee at least 15 minutes before the kick off time. It is the responsibility of the referee to complete the section at the foot of the form and pass it back to the home team who then must forward it to the Discipline Hon Sec as detailed on the form.
11. Each team can name a maximum of five substitutes who can be used as part of the roll on roll off substitute system. All substitutes must be named on the team sheet prior to kick off.
12. From August until October inclusive and March until May inclusive kick off times are 2.30 pm on Saturdays. From November until February inclusive kick off times are 2.00. Any difference to the above must have been sanctioned by the League Management Committee beforehand.
13. All cases of misconduct must be reported using the Whole Game System within 48 hours (excluding Sunday) of the game.
14. Should you require any support / assistance or wish to ask something please contact either the Referees’ Hon Sec or the Chair of Fixtures & Referees in the first instance.
15. No application for retention on Referees’ List is necessary, as this League is operating fully the Football Association Points Award scheme.
16. Should you require any guidance or information, do not hesitate to write to the Referees’ Secretary. Should you feel the quality of hospitality shown by a club, to either yourself or a visiting team is worthy of note or comment please let the League have your comments, as feedback is always useful.
