RateTheRef

General Refereeing => Legacy Appointment Boards => Select Group 2 => Topic started by: aaa on Mon 04 Nov 2024 16:05

Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: rustyref on Sun 10 Nov 2024 23:17
I thought Lewis Smith was excellent earlier in the Steel City derby. Wasn’t the most crazy of derbies but I can only think of a couple of minor decisions I disagreed with. He gave a couple of really soft free kicks early on and I worried he’d set a bad precedent but no issues after that. He’ll have tougher games but as derby games go, he sailed through.

Agree, as a supporter of the losing team I thought he was very good.  I was surprised it didn't get given to an SG1 official as it is one of the most intense derbies in football, but Lewis justified their decision.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: elbee94 on Sun 10 Nov 2024 22:16
I thought Lewis Smith was excellent earlier in the Steel City derby. Wasn’t the most crazy of derbies but I can only think of a couple of minor decisions I disagreed with. He gave a couple of really soft free kicks early on and I worried he’d set a bad precedent but no issues after that. He’ll have tougher games but as derby games go, he sailed through.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: tomp on Sat 09 Nov 2024 08:50
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

Completely agree in relation to autographs but Sunny isn't remotely arrogant from having worked with him. If anything he has a relatively timid approach for a senior referee.


I haven't worked with him but have met him and concur that arrogant is just about the last word which comes to mind in relation to Sunny Singh Gill. Modest and retiring are words which readily do come to mind. I believe his former profession was that of prison officer; far more Mr Barraclough than Mr Mackay.

Personally I am not sure he is ready for promotion to SG2 based on the matches which I have seen. He never quite seems to get a firm enough grip on a match when a firm grip is required.

As to signing an autograph; you can't win as a referee here. It could be construed that signing is rather a puffed up thing to do but if someone askes for your autograph and you refuse then it can all too easily come over as being aloof and unfriendly. My advice is sign, always assuming it is a programme or an autograph book and not a blank cheque.

I think timing is key with regards to autographs, if it’s on arrival or during the warm-up I think it’s fine but signing as you are about to go on for the second half is always going to gather attention with the cameras rolling at that stage.

I’ve got lots of autographs from current referees including Select Group 1, Select Group 2 and National List. I usually ask them on arrival and most are friendly. I have only ever had one refusal.

Oh, do say who the refusal was. As a jest I once asked Peter Jones for his autograph and he would only give it on condition that I gave him mine first ! !
It was Ben Speedie but I think it was more because he was surprised to be asked rather than arrogance haha.

I am trying to get all referee’s from Select Group 1 right down to the National Group. I’ve probably got about half currently and added Andrew Kitchen and Lewis Smith to my collection in the last couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Whistleblower on Fri 08 Nov 2024 20:29
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

Completely agree in relation to autographs but Sunny isn't remotely arrogant from having worked with him. If anything he has a relatively timid approach for a senior referee.


I haven't worked with him but have met him and concur that arrogant is just about the last word which comes to mind in relation to Sunny Singh Gill. Modest and retiring are words which readily do come to mind. I believe his former profession was that of prison officer; far more Mr Barraclough than Mr Mackay.

Personally I am not sure he is ready for promotion to SG2 based on the matches which I have seen. He never quite seems to get a firm enough grip on a match when a firm grip is required.

As to signing an autograph; you can't win as a referee here. It could be construed that signing is rather a puffed up thing to do but if someone askes for your autograph and you refuse then it can all too easily come over as being aloof and unfriendly. My advice is sign, always assuming it is a programme or an autograph book and not a blank cheque.

I think timing is key with regards to autographs, if it’s on arrival or during the warm-up I think it’s fine but signing as you are about to go on for the second half is always going to gather attention with the cameras rolling at that stage.

I’ve got lots of autographs from current referees including Select Group 1, Select Group 2 and National List. I usually ask them on arrival and most are friendly. I have only ever had one refusal.

Oh, do say who the refusal was. As a jest I once asked Peter Jones for his autograph and he would only give it on condition that I gave him mine first ! !
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: tomp on Fri 08 Nov 2024 17:29
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

Completely agree in relation to autographs but Sunny isn't remotely arrogant from having worked with him. If anything he has a relatively timid approach for a senior referee.


I haven't worked with him but have met him and concur that arrogant is just about the last word which comes to mind in relation to Sunny Singh Gill. Modest and retiring are words which readily do come to mind. I believe his former profession was that of prison officer; far more Mr Barraclough than Mr Mackay.

Personally I am not sure he is ready for promotion to SG2 based on the matches which I have seen. He never quite seems to get a firm enough grip on a match when a firm grip is required.

As to signing an autograph; you can't win as a referee here. It could be construed that signing is rather a puffed up thing to do but if someone askes for your autograph and you refuse then it can all too easily come over as being aloof and unfriendly. My advice is sign, always assuming it is a programme or an autograph book and not a blank cheque.

I think timing is key with regards to autographs, if it’s on arrival or during the warm-up I think it’s fine but signing as you are about to go on for the second half is always going to gather attention with the cameras rolling at that stage.

I’ve got lots of autographs from current referees including Select Group 1, Select Group 2 and National List. I usually ask them on arrival and most are friendly. I have only ever had one refusal.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Whistleblower on Fri 08 Nov 2024 16:51
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

Completely agree in relation to autographs but Sunny isn't remotely arrogant from having worked with him. If anything he has a relatively timid approach for a senior referee.


I haven't worked with him but have met him and concur that arrogant is just about the last word which comes to mind in relation to Sunny Singh Gill. Modest and retiring are words which readily do come to mind. I believe his former profession was that of prison officer; far more Mr Barraclough than Mr Mackay.

Personally I am not sure he is ready for promotion to SG2 based on the matches which I have seen. He never quite seems to get a firm enough grip on a match when a firm grip is required.

As to signing an autograph; you can't win as a referee here. It could be construed that signing is rather a puffed up thing to do but if someone askes for your autograph and you refuse then it can all too easily come over as being aloof and unfriendly. My advice is sign, always assuming it is a programme or an autograph book and not a blank cheque.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: DaveOggy93 on Fri 08 Nov 2024 15:06
Some observations -

Lewis Smith on the Sheffield derby. I have said before that I can’t see what the powers that be see in him. To me he is overrated - much prefer Josh Smith - but this will be his 5th big game in just 3 weeks, mostly all televised too. I am gobsmacked

Gavin Ward with another Championship game, which will be his 3rd in just over a week. All those of us on RTR who feel he is a weak and overrated ref must be missing something but I can’t see what

Farai Hallam - on merit or another case of promoting ethnic minorities? Interesting that Sunny Gill Singh’s star has plummeted since its rise last year.

James Linington on 2 4th0 appointments after picking up 2 last weekend. This will make 12 4thO duties already for him this season, after a similar spate last year. What is going on?

I though that Lewis Smith had decent game (Preston vs Sunderland) on Wednesday, he got the big call right. However he wasnt over fussy and let the game flow were needed
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: RefGod on Fri 08 Nov 2024 14:21
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

Completely agree in relation to autographs but Sunny isn't remotely arrogant from having worked with him. If anything he has a relatively timid approach for a senior referee.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: TVOS on Fri 08 Nov 2024 01:14
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.

He did well to sign autographs at Fulham from Selhurst Park!
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Charlieboy on Thu 07 Nov 2024 22:25
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former.
How exciting, you know him personally then?
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Nowayreferee on Thu 07 Nov 2024 20:01
IMO Sunny’s arrogance lets him down.  He knew from a while back that he was destined to get near the top, unfortunately it was for the wrong reasons, that we know.  Signing autographs at Fulham was probably his biggest mistake!

Farai has impressed and I would definitely say that he is there on merit.  I can see him aligned to SG2 before the former. 
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: elbee94 on Mon 04 Nov 2024 22:12
In a season where I feel like i’ve seen a lot of poorly officiated games in the EFL, i’ve been impressed by Farai this season. Best of luck to him.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: aaa on Mon 04 Nov 2024 21:11
Some observations -

Lewis Smith on the Sheffield derby. I have said before that I can’t see what the powers that be see in him. To me he is overrated - much prefer Josh Smith - but this will be his 5th big game in just 3 weeks, mostly all televised too. I am gobsmacked

Gavin Ward with another Championship game, which will be his 3rd in just over a week. All those of us on RTR who feel he is a weak and overrated ref must be missing something but I can’t see what

Farai Hallam - on merit or another case of promoting ethnic minorities? Interesting that Sunny Gill Singh’s star has plummeted since its rise last year.

James Linington on 2 4th0 appointments after picking up 2 last weekend. This will make 12 4thO duties already for him this season, after a similar spate last year. What is going on?

I'm surprised you didn't questioned Lewis Smith, Josh Smith, Gavin Ward, James Linington, etc ethnicity or gender for games or no lack of games.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Ryanellis on Mon 04 Nov 2024 21:08
Some observations -

Lewis Smith on the Sheffield derby. I have said before that I can’t see what the powers that be see in him. To me he is overrated - much prefer Josh Smith - but this will be his 5th big game in just 3 weeks, mostly all televised too. I am gobsmacked

Gavin Ward with another Championship game, which will be his 3rd in just over a week. All those of us on RTR who feel he is a weak and overrated ref must be missing something but I can’t see what

Farai Hallam - on merit or another case of promoting ethnic minorities? Interesting that Sunny Gill Singh’s star has plummeted since its rise last year.

James Linington on 2 4th0 appointments after picking up 2 last weekend. This will make 12 4thO duties already for him this season, after a similar spate last year. What is going on?
If im being honest, im not surprised that Sunny hasn’t got anymore higher games from what I saw in October. Maybe that was a one off game but it wasn’t a pleasing performance to say the least
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Hendo on Mon 04 Nov 2024 20:49
Some observations -

Lewis Smith on the Sheffield derby. I have said before that I can’t see what the powers that be see in him. To me he is overrated - much prefer Josh Smith - but this will be his 5th big game in just 3 weeks, mostly all televised too. I am gobsmacked

Gavin Ward with another Championship game, which will be his 3rd in just over a week. All those of us on RTR who feel he is a weak and overrated ref must be missing something but I can’t see what

Farai Hallam - on merit or another case of promoting ethnic minorities? Interesting that Sunny Gill Singh’s star has plummeted since its rise last year.

James Linington on 2 4th0 appointments after picking up 2 last weekend. This will make 12 4thO duties already for him this season, after a similar spate last year. What is going on?
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: tomchappell19 on Mon 04 Nov 2024 20:48
Steel City Derby for Lewis Smith is very eyecatching - ballsy weekend of appointments!
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Claretman on Mon 04 Nov 2024 19:55
Norwich City FC (First Team) v Bristol City (First Team)
Football League Championship   
Referee: Hallam, Farai
Assistant Referee: Stevens, Mark
Assistant Referee: Kane, Graham
Fourth Official: Linington, James

Wow!! Good luck, a very large shove forward
Did quite well in the Blackpool v Wigan tv game a week or so ago.
Good luck to him, hope all goes well.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: carrowman on Mon 04 Nov 2024 18:32
Norwich City FC (First Team) v Bristol City (First Team)
Football League Championship   
Referee: Hallam, Farai
Assistant Referee: Stevens, Mark
Assistant Referee: Kane, Graham
Fourth Official: Linington, James

Wow!! Good luck, a very large shove forward

Certainly a very big step, although having Mark Stevens should help if he is as good as he was at his last Norwich game @ Derby !!!!!!
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: Ryanellis on Mon 04 Nov 2024 16:22
Oh wow, fair play to Farai Hallam. Also to Lewis Smith for getting the Sheffield Derby despite having Sheff Utd only 3 weeks ago for when the fixture will happen.
Title: Re: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: RCG on Mon 04 Nov 2024 16:19
Norwich City FC (First Team) v Bristol City (First Team)
Football League Championship   
Referee: Hallam, Farai
Assistant Referee: Stevens, Mark
Assistant Referee: Kane, Graham
Fourth Official: Linington, James

Wow!! Good luck, a very large shove forward
Title: Fri 8th – Sun 10th NOV 2024
Post by: aaa on Mon 04 Nov 2024 16:05
Fri 8th Nov 2024
Watford FC (First Team) v Oxford United (First Team)       Live on SkySport
Football League Championship
Referee: Backhouse, Anthony
Assistant Referee: Antrobus, Blake
Assistant Referee: Hyde, Robert
Fourth Official: Linington, James Smith, Lewis

Sat 9th Nov 2024
Cardiff City FC (First Team) v Blackburn Rovers FC (First Team)        Live on SkySport
Football League Championship    
Referee: Ward, Gavin
Assistant Referee: Venamore, Lee
Assistant Referee: McGrath, Matthew
Fourth Official: Herczeg, Adam

Derby County FC (First Team) v Plymouth Argyle FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Hooper, Simon
Assistant Referee: Holmes, Adrian
Assistant Referee: Aspinall, Natalie
Fourth Official: Speedie, Benjamin

Leeds United AFC (First Team) v Queens Park Rangers FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Donohue, Matthew
Assistant Referee: Hodskinson, Paul
Assistant Referee: Wild, Richard
Fourth Official: Nield, Tom

MIDDLESBROUGH (First Team) v Luton Town (First Team)       Live on SkySport+
Football League Championship    
Referee: Harrington, Tony
Assistant Referee: Wilkes, Matthew
Assistant Referee: Hopton, Nick
Fourth Official: Toner, Ben  Smith, Josh

Norwich City FC (First Team) v Bristol City (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Hallam, Farai
Assistant Referee: Stevens, Mark
Assistant Referee: Kane, Graham
Fourth Official: Linington, James Backhouse, Anthony

Portsmouth FC (First Team) v Preston North End FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Busby, John
Assistant Referee: Hunt, Jonathan
Assistant Referee: Hudson, Shaun
Fourth Official: Breakspear, Charles

Stoke City FC (First Team) v Millwall FC (First Team)      Live on SkySport+
Football League Championship    
Referee: Bell, James Finnie, Will
Assistant Referee: Wilson, James
Assistant Referee: Singh Gill, Bhupinder
Fourth Official: Finnie, Will Toner, Ben

Sunderland AFC (First Team) v Coventry City FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Doughty, Leigh
Assistant Referee: Lugg, Nigel
Assistant Referee: Woodward, Richard
Fourth Official: Ricardo, Ruebyn

Sun 10th Nov 2024
Burnley FC (First Team) v Swansea City FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Webb, David
Assistant Referee: Leach, Daniel
Assistant Referee: Fox, Andrew
Fourth Official: Allison, Sam

Hull City (First Team) v West Bromwich Albion FC (First Team)
Football League Championship    
Referee: Kitchen, Andrew
Assistant Referee: Dwyer, Mark
Assistant Referee: Cooper, Ian
Fourth Official: Smith, Josh

Sheffield United FC (First Team) v Sheffield Wednesday FC (First Team)     Live on SkySport+
Football League Championship    
Referee: Smith, Lewis
Assistant Referee: Lewis, Sam
Assistant Referee: James, Alex
Fourth Official: Whitestone, Dean