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Author Topic: Lee probert  (Read 1554 times)

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Referee99

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Lee probert
« on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 18:43 »
Confirmation lee has retired

Lee Probert says he is going to miss refereeing at the highest level after announcing his retirement as a Select Group 1 match official.

A long-standing back injury has forced the 47-year-old to hang up the whistle after two decades in the game and 181 Premier League matches to his name.

"I've loved every one of them," he told premierleague.com. "They're all very memorable. They're all nice stadiums to go to, fantastic atmospheres. I'm going to miss it."

Probert has fond memories of taking charge of the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull City, an honour bestowed upon only those referees at the very top of their game.

Learning curve

But that five-goal thriller was a far cry from the goalless draw 12 years ago that he still regards as his baptism of fire.

"A 0-0 draw between Bolton and Middlesbrough in November 2007 - that was a tough one," he said. "It probably won't last long in the memory of football fans but it sticks in my mind as I was new to the Premier League.

"I had Kevin Davies on one side and David Wheater on the other and they were both managing the game better than I was! It wasn't my best performance but I definitely learnt from it."

New opportunities

Probert now hopes to use his vast experience in his next role.

"The good thing is that while we've been refereeing, the PGMOL have offered us opportunities to further our education at colleges and universities," he said.

"I've done a degree at Gloucester University and my plan now is to work with Par4 Sports, offering training camps in Spain for amateurs and professionals from every sport."
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Hendo

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #1 on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 19:15 »
Quote from: Referee99 on Mon 23 Sep 2019 18:43
Confirmation lee has retired

Lee Probert says he is going to miss refereeing at the highest level after announcing his retirement as a Select Group 1 match official.

A long-standing back injury has forced the 47-year-old to hang up the whistle after two decades in the game and 181 Premier League matches to his name.

"I've loved every one of them," he told premierleague.com. "They're all very memorable. They're all nice stadiums to go to, fantastic atmospheres. I'm going to miss it."

Probert has fond memories of taking charge of the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Hull City, an honour bestowed upon only those referees at the very top of their game.

Learning curve

But that five-goal thriller was a far cry from the goalless draw 12 years ago that he still regards as his baptism of fire.

"A 0-0 draw between Bolton and Middlesbrough in November 2007 - that was a tough one," he said. "It probably won't last long in the memory of football fans but it sticks in my mind as I was new to the Premier League.

"I had Kevin Davies on one side and David Wheater on the other and they were both managing the game better than I was! It wasn't my best performance but I definitely learnt from it."

New opportunities

Probert now hopes to use his vast experience in his next role.

"The good thing is that while we've been refereeing, the PGMOL have offered us opportunities to further our education at colleges and universities," he said.

"I've done a degree at Gloucester University and my plan now is to work with Par4 Sports, offering training camps in Spain for amateurs and professionals from every sport."

Sad to hear this. One of footballs nice guys and in my opinion a very underrated ref who seemed to have a great empathy with the players and was well respected. Would much rather have him than the Clattenburgs of this world.
Hope his new venture is a great success.
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rustyref

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #2 on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 20:03 »
It turns out that it was the challenge between Ben Watson and Steve Sidwell, where he became the meat in the sandwich, that caused the serious back injury which required major surgery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIB-vRpymKA
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Readingfan

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #3 on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 20:26 »
Interview with Probert in The Times - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lee-probert-injury-was-so-severe-the-surgeon-asked-if-i-had-been-in-car-crash-8gl6n8zc6

Sad to see him retire. He was always a safe pair on hands when I saw him on Reading games and seemed to have a good rapport with the players. A steady official who refereed in a sensible and likeable manner. All the best for the future to him.
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Mackem ref

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #4 on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 20:56 »
Always sorry to see an official's career cut short due to injury. Best of luck to Lee - his laid back approach will be sadly missed by top level refereeing!
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QuoCob

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #5 on: Mon 23 Sep 2019 21:09 »
Saw him take charge of a couple of our games, he was a totally different level to the usual officials we had.  A lot of the bottom two division fans enjoyed his sojourn down with us...I know he'll be missed and for the right reasons.
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“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”  Laurence Binyon
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Acme Thunderer

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #6 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 08:54 »
Sorry to hear this news about Lee but quite understand his reasons for moving away from top flight refereeing. I saw him referee both Palace games v Burnley last season and he was excellent on both occasions. I also had the pleasure of seeing him at Gresty Road in L2 a few years back when he was first recovering from his back injury and he was one of the best I've seen at the Alex, with absolutely no PL airs and graces about him. It was good that he got back to the PL despite the obvious seriousness of his injury.

I note that Lee's penultimate game last season was in L2 - a promotion game at MKD. His last game was Southampton v Huddersfield in the PL on 12th May 2019 and I will now amend the 'last games' thread on ISOR.

Interesting to note that Lee does not appear to be heading into the VAR booth, and perhaps the authorities have come away from the idea of having former PL refs undertaking this role.

I wish Lee all the very best for the future.    :)
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QuoCob

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #7 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10 »
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415
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“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”  Laurence Binyon

Toprefm

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #8 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 12:02 »
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415

If this is correct then it's utter stupidity at best


ajb95 meant to click agree not disagree but can't change it - see below discussion! bmb
« Last Edit: Wed 25 Sep 2019 11:20 by bmb »
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JCFC

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #9 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 12:04 »
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."

And so the Ship of Fools sails on.
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ajb95

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #10 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 15:13 »
Quote from: Toprefm on Tue 24 Sep 2019 12:02
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415

If this is correct then it's utter stupidity at best

Tried to click agree but clicked on disagree by mistake and now can’t undo it. Can a mod please help!
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Hendo

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #11 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 16:51 »
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415

What a complete load of testicles! 😡😡. PGMOL and FA, hide your heads in shame
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ajb95

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #12 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 18:53 »
One of the most underrated referees of modern times. Maintained that calm and relaxed manner and most importantly - determination. But one trait stood out for me and that was his humbleness!!

Thanks Lee for a great career and shame PGMOL haven't got you involved in some way; their loss!
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bmb

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #13 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 19:36 »
Quote from: ajb95 on Tue 24 Sep 2019 15:13
Quote from: Toprefm on Tue 24 Sep 2019 12:02
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415

If this is correct then it's utter stupidity at best

Tried to click agree but clicked on disagree by mistake and now can’t undo it. Can a mod please help!

No.  As soon as you refresh the page, it becomes uneditable - annoyingly so & we've not yet found a way to fix it!
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Hajrá Lilák. Csak a Kispest. Hajrá Magyarok! Hajrá játékvezetői csapat! Soha ne add fel. Nincs sárga kérem!!!
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Readingfan

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Re: Lee probert
« Reply #14 on: Tue 24 Sep 2019 22:40 »
Quote from: Hendo on Tue 24 Sep 2019 16:51
Quote from: QuoCob on Tue 24 Sep 2019 10:10
Mirror:
"LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual fitness test."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415

What a complete load of testicles! 😡😡. PGMOL and FA, hide your heads in shame

Whether we like it or not, the policy at the moment is that only current serving referees will be used as VARs in England and Probert doesn't fall into that category as he didn't pass the fitness test and has retired.

Of course, the issue at the moment is that it doesn't really matter if you're a current referee, a former referee or someone who's never officiated a game in your life because they basically haven't done anything so far! The only decisions they've changed are essentially those that have been matter of fact (and they even got one of those wrong!) - you could have had a bloke from Hawkeye or someone who works on the checkouts at Tesco and they'd presumably have come to the exact same decisions for those situations because it's basically governed by the technology. The only one you might have needed a bit of knowledge for was the Sheffield United V Southampton one because the offside player didn't touch the ball but was interfering.
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