Harrow RA’s October 2019 Meeting
The Harrow Referees’ Association invited all registered referees from Middlesex FA, Herts FA, London FA, Surrey FA, Berks and Bucks FA and the AFA via their RDOs to the October meeting. Their guest speaker was former EFL referee, Paul Taylor, Senior FA Coach for National List Referees, National Licensed Instructor and former English Football League referee, who had also refereed on the Premier League.
Several of those interested were unable to attend due to half term holidays and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice camp and a clash with a Level 4 referees’ FA training event.
In his presentation to Harrow RA’s October meeting PGMOL’s Senior Referees’ Coach for National List referees, Paul Taylor stressed the importance of a thorough understanding of the basics, the latest IFAB’s Laws of the Game for all Referees, even & “his boys”, our top Referees.
As expected, Paul gave an excellent presentation which captured the members’ attention and interest throughout the two hours. He is really a fantastic speaker.
Our October guest speaker was former EFL referee, Paul Taylor, Senior FA Coach for National List Referees, National Licensed Instructor and former English Football League referee, who also refereed on the Premier League. Paul last visited us in 2011 and is a really great speaker.
As we were were expecting a large turnout we asked all referees and parents of young referees wishing to attend to Book Their Seat, by emailing Harrow RA’s Honorary Secretary at davidroberts.tv@gmail.com
Paul chose to develop our knowledge of the 2019-20 IFAB Law Changes using video clips, illustrating that even at the top level our knowledge isn’t always perfect!
The event lasted until 10:30 p.m.
Attendance was open to Referees’ Association members and non-members. There was an offer of a membership for a fiver for the first year at your local RA Branch available at the meeting for any non-members who have never been an RA member. Also newly qualified referees are eligible for free first-year membership of their local branch.
Paul’s Pen picture:
Paul first began refereeing in 1977 and progressed via the Hertfordshire County League, the Isthmian League and the National League. He was appointed as a Football League assistant referee in 1986 and promoted to referee in 1989. At this point, he was aged only thirty and the youngest member on the List.
He refereed the Hertfordshire Senior County Cup Final, the FA Sunday Cup Final and several international matches at both Youth and Semi-professional level. He also officiated in the Football League Play-Offs on six occasions including the League Two Final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, in 2006. He was appointed to the Premier League Referees List in 2001 and refereed his first senior FIFA International between Nigeria and Venezuela in August 2003. In 2004, he was fourth official at the FA Trophy Final. Other notable appointments included refereeing Cheltenham Town’s first game in the Football League and Southampton’s last match at The Dell versus Arsenal. His final fixture was the League One match between Wycombe Wanderers and Gillingham on 8 May 2010.
In 2005, he became a County Accredited Referees Instructor and in 2006 qualified as a National Licensed Instructor. He has delivered coaching to match officials in several countries including India; Japan; South Africa and Sierra Leone. He is now a Senior Coach for the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd.