RateTheRef

Don't worry Mr A Legg (East Grinstead), I remember you from those days!

Stopped watching, as per my post, last time this was discussed

Do we really need to replace a 4th official immediately though?

Agreed, it would be more work for AR1, but steps 3 to 7 manage without them.

There’s enough TV cameras at games to spot anyone being a eejit in the dugout for the odd few occasions this happens a season.

As this injury happened in the first half, a replacement official could have been sought for the 2nd half, giving the referee half time to explain to the new official what needs to be done.

Let’s be honest, the primary role of a 4th official is to take over from an incapacitated official. The rest of it is peripheral

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my 4th official appointments when I was on the system and my big break came from coming out of the crowd to line 77 minutes of what would now be a step 2 game, just 10 days after getting my class 1 (I’m showing my age now!), so who am I to moan about Mr Cork getting his 5, or should I say 64, minutes of glory.

Soccer Aid 2025

Referee: Rebecca Welch
Assistant Referee: Natalie Aspinall
Assistant Referee: Emily Carney
Fourth Official: Jane Simms

So the same officials as last year, despite 2 of them having retired during the season

It's just embarrassing by Selt

One could almost sympathise with a gut reaction, after the fluke went in, but to continue over 2 minutes later it needs looking into

I wouldn't bank on it. Scotland had red, do not travel, warnings 2 weeks ago and the authorities didn't call off any fixtures

Quote from: ajb95 on Sun 04 Aug 2024 12:02

Have to say what an absolute awful competition this is. Drab dull cricket played in half empty stadia. The T20 blast should have been enhanced not bashed to one side so the ECB could make millions in profit!

Spot on. The initial “razzmatazz” has died off a lot, both in terms of players and the fanfare the comp came with. I only hope the ECB are seeing what we’re all seeing and make the most of the 18 counties that would thrive from the attention and finances.

I always thought this would be the year of truth for the Hundred. An Olympic games running at the same time, and effectively same time zone, was always, IMO, going to test the attendances. 

2021 was the first year so had the novelty factor, as well Tokyo action taking place overnight and early morning here in the UK. It also had the attraction of families going out together in the summer again after the pandemic the year before.

Fast forward 3 years, money is tight for a lot of people and those who are likely to watch 100 are, I would suggest general sports fans, (rather than county fans) and those people will watch the Olympics for free at home.

I've dipped in and out of the 100 over the last 3 years, never watched a full game, so cannot comment on the standard. From an outside point of view it just seems like a few experienced players come to UK for 6 weeks, take the big money then move onto another tournament elsewhere.

Totally killed off the domestic 50 over competition and people wonder why we did so badly in the World Cup, but that's another discussion for another thread! However, I will say I don't begrudge any player leaving their county to go and play 100, when in most cases they will be getting a years salary for a months work!