COVERED 2024 Spring

COVERED 44 TRENTBRIDGE.CO.UK What was your most memorable match? My first game was Manchester United versus Middlesborough in the old Division One, while my last game was Manchester United versus Sheffield Wednesday, so there’s some nice symmetry there. I refereed every team in the league over an 18-year period, and although I spent most of my time in Division One andTwo, I always wanted to maintain enthusiasm for the lower leagues. I was fortunate to be Senior Linesman for the FA Cup final in 1989 (in those days a Senior Referee was appointed to be Senior Linesman) which itself was very emotional because it was the year of the Hillsborough Disaster. VAR is commanding a lot of attention in football, where do you sit on this and what is the difference in cricket? I think VAR is here to stay. I was fortunate not to have the microscope on my decisions in the way officials do in this day and age. It was never going to work to everyone’s satisfaction particularly where offences are often a matter of opinion. Cricket seems to have implemented it far more effectively to make decisions on objective issues where umpires can make a decision on run-outs, stumpings, and leg before wicket, for example. How do you prepare for a game on the microphone? I spend time looking at previous games between the two teams, all the player names and pronunciation, any idiosyn- crasies players have about what they prefer to be called (Chris vs Christopher, Steve vs Stephen for example). I make sure I’m aware of any milestones which need mentioning. It’s actually quite energy sapping and you have to concentrate 100 per cent of the time so you don’t miss anything. I still have a fear that I will begin to speak and no words will come out! What is the strangest thing that has happened whilst you’ve been working at a game ? There was one instance at an out- ground where the slates carrying the numbers dropped off the board and 143-1 suddenly became 43-1.That kept me on my toes. I do enjoy being visible and amongst the crowd at the outgrounds, though, it feels like there is more of an atmosphere.The binoculars always come in useful there, too! Do people give you feedback? There was a funny situation when I was spectating and the person in front of me said to his mate: ‘I think the other bloke is better than this one’. I tapped him on the shoulder, told him it was usually me and asked for some feedback. He was very friendly actually. He asked if I could tell him who the substitute fielders were… I said I’d have told him if I knew. Put it this way – I get less feedback now than I did when I was a referee. What do you do away fromTrent Bridge? I spend as much time with my family as possible. My wife and kids got a fairly raw deal when I was refereeing – I’m fortunate to have a grandson now, so it’s lovely to spend time with him. I play a bit of squash and tennis and I also dance – very badly, although it does keep me fit. Any advice for a budding PA announcer? You obviously have to know your stuff when it comes to cricket. I always try to be upbeat, positive, conscientious and have some humility. I am here to serve the public, and communicate with them in a way that enhances their matchday experience and the reputation of the club. I also think less is often more in these situations.You need to add value and only speak when there’s something meaningful to say, add some personal- ity to what you say and not be afraid to say sorry if you get something wrong – even if it’s not your fault!