Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter is a columnist on Vital Hartlepool and he’ll be giving his opinions on football each week.

Each Thursday Jeff will voice his opinion on the week’s big talking points but you’re the one who sets the agenda. Whether you want to ask him about a dodgy refereeing decision, a question about Hartlepool United or football in general, you can!

Remember to listen to Jeff each weekend on Alpha 103.2 where you can catch a preview of the weekend fixtures from 1pm and then the Jeff Winter Football Phone-In between 6pm and 7pm. You can keep an eye on his official site at jeffwinter.co.uk for the latest news.

Click here to read Jeff’s profile



Each week Jeff predicts the scores off Pools next match and you can try and beat him. To compete against Jeff and fellow Poolies simply predict the score of Pools next match and the first goalscorer.

You can play this game by simply being a member of Vital Hartlepool. To sign up follow the link at the end of this article and the posting your prediction in the Vital Hartlepool Prediction League forum.

Click here to visit the Vital Hartlepool Prediction League forum



Due to a system limitation we are unable to list columns past this point, we are working to resolve this problem.

December 11th: Magic Of The Cup?
Jeff talks about the televised ties in the FA Cup third round, the FA’s disciplinary process and even more Kevin Kyle.

December 4th: Cup Draw and Goalkeepers
Jeff Winter discusses TV stations moving kick off times, the FA Cup third round draw and Pools goalkeepers.

November 27th: Repect and The FA
Jeff talks about the bad refereeing laws that have been shown up recently, more on Kevin Kyle and whether more officials are a good idea.

November 20th: Decisions and Big Boys
Jeff goes against Pools and backs the referee over the sending off of Sam Collins, reveals that the dismissal was correct and contemplates how far Pools can go in the FA Cup this season.

November 13th: Strengths and Weaknesses
In the biggest edition ever, Jeff talks about a potential winter break, weakened sides in the Carling Cup, Pools signing Kevin Kyle and whether he’s heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle.

November 6th: Runners and Riders
Jeff Winter talks about Pools chances in the FA Cup, whether Kevin Kyle’s loan should be extended and a cheating Steven Gerrard.

October 30th: Motivation and Comebacks
Jeff Winter discusses how referees adapt for big matches, Pools improved away form and whether he ever got demoted.

October 23rd: Progress and Priorities
Jeff talks about a possible ground purchase, Kevin Kyle and where Pools need to strengthen.

October 16th: Times and Travelling
Jeff Winter talks about Pools problems away from home, the start to the season and more UEFA stupdity.

October 9th: Suspensions and Signings
In the new look column, Jeff Winter talks about technology in the game, Kevin Kyle signing and Mark Clattenburg’s suspension from refereeing.

October 2nd: Trials and Tribulations
Jeff Winter talks about the worst mistake he’s seen in years, trial by television and hits back at an argumentative Leeds fan.

September 25th: Handbags and Rivals
Jeff discusses his most hated club, why referee’s wait before blowing the whistle and Pools defeat to Leeds in the Carling Cup.

September 18th: Fights and Injury Time
This week Jeff talks how referees decide on the amount of injury time and the worst fights he’s ever seen.

September 11th: Attendances and Loans
This week Jeff talks about Pools poor attendances and the possibility of bringing in players on loan. Plus, we launch Beat the Ref.

September 4th: Newspaper Ban and Windows
Jeff discusses Pools to ban local newspapers from the ground and how the transfer window affects the lower divisions.

August 28th: Cup Shocks and Bias
Jeff discusses Pools Premier League scalp in the Carling Cup, which cup is most important and who would be a good draw in the next round.

August 21st: England and Cup Prices
Jeff Winter discusses Frank Lampard’s new salary, Pools pricing structure for cup games and the England captains armband.

August 14th: Penalties and Top Scorers
Dodgy penalties, bad refs, top scorers and how Pools will fare in League One this season… Jeff Winter is back!



Jeff Winter’s Hartlepool Season Preview – July 31st
Jeff Winter gives his opinion on the Pools hopes for the new season and details of his new radio shows.



You can hear Jeff each weekend on Alpha 103.2 where you can catch a preview of the weekends big fixtures from 1pm and then the Jeff Winter Football Phone-In between 6pm and 7pm.

You can give Jeff a call on 01325 25 55 55 between 6 and 7pm every Saturday evening or email anytime on football@alpha1032.com

Click the link below to listen to Jeff on Alpha 103.2





Over the summer of 2008 we had a look at the best questions Jeff was been asked over the previous season in 6 “Best Of” columns.

The columns are; Goal Line Technology, Cheats and Mistakes, Relationships and Handball, Blue Cards and Substitutes, Breaking and Entering, Decisions and Appeals.



May 15th
Jeff Winter discusses the Play-Offs, Joel Porter’s possible departure and the worst game he’s ever been involved in.

May 9th
Jeff ponders who should have been given the Player of the Year award and rebuffs suggestions that we need a clear out.

May 8th
Jeff talks about the final day of the Premier League and the difficulties of breaking into the top 4.

May 1st
Jeff discusses the Champions League Final, Sven-Goran Eriksson’s imminent departure from Manchester City and whether season ticket prices should rise next season.

April 24th
The longest amount of injury time he’s ever added to a match and the best match he’s seen this season.

April 17th
Referee’s quotas, the worst manager to deal with and has Jeff ever been escorted from the pitch at full time.

April 10th
Bad pitches, where Danny Wilson should strengthen and whether a ‘blue card’ would work in the game.

April 3rd
Jeff talks about the worst game he ever refereed and whether he would ever return to the game.

Penalty Special
The big talking point this week was the penalty given against Pools by referee Lee Probert last weekend, Jeff has his say.

March 28th
Sending off Javier Mascherano for talking back, Ritchie Barker’s return to the first team and how to stop player dissent.

March 21st
The funniest thing ever to happen in a game, more bad refereeing and how much Pools need to strengthen.

March 13th
Middlesbrough crash out of the FA Cup, Arran Lee-Barrett’s penalty decision and poor refereeing against Huddersfield.

March 6th
Jeff talks about the biggest cheat in the game, players getting book while celebrating and who’s going down from League One.

February 28th
Jeff talks about the money in the game these days, substitutes and the most honest player he came across.

February 21st
Jeff talks about Jamie McCunnie, the FA appeals process and where he thinks Pools will finish this season.

February 14th
Jeff talks about Premier League games being played abroad and Pools appeal against the Sam Collins sending off

February 7th
Jeff talks about preparation before games, which kit he prefers and if refereeing decisions even themselves out

February 4th
Jeff talks about the fans who want Danny Wilson sacked, Antony Sweeney at right back and some balloons

January 25th
Postponing games due to weather conditions, Pools leaky back line and why some fouls in the box aren’t given as penalties

January 17th
Jeff talks about bitchy referees, who should be in goal for Pools and the worst weather he’s ever refereed in

January 14th
Jeff discusses the handball rule, the ‘Big Clubs’ playing weakened sides in the cup and fights back against a fan who has a dig

January 3rd
Jeff is back for 2008 and he talks about his favourite match, Howard Webb going to Euro 2008 and if refs can see in the dark

2007

December 21st
Danny Wilson strips Michael Nelson of the captains armband, Pools inconsistent form and who we should sign in January

December 13th
Jeff talks about the amount of knee injuries at the club, where we’ll finish and whether Yeovil delayed treatment of Godwin Antwi

December 6th
Ritchie Barker getting booed, linesmen being ignored by refs and how Jeff actually became a referee

November 29th
A possible cup tie between Pools and Middlesbrough, giving microphones to referees and where should Jamie McCunnie play

November 22nd
Why defenders are allowed to shield the ball out for a goal kick, the clear penalty not given last weekend and has Joel Porter lost it?

November 16th
Pools crash out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, Joey Barton’s lack of punishment and can England sneak into Euro 2008?

November 9th
More fallout from the Brighton game, the poor standard of referees and why Pools are so inconsistent

November 3rd
Willie Boland’s red card against Brighton and whether Danny Wilson will be snapped up by a bigger club

October 25th
Mark Clattenburg’s dodgy decisions in the Merseyside derby and the best ref of all time

October 18th
England’s poor performances, Jeff’s most embarrassing moment as a referee and is Uriah Rennie that bad?

October 12th
Graham Poll’s criticism of referees, how heckling affects referees and is the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy worth the effort

October 4th
Using video technology to help refs, Danny Wilson’s transfer dealings and who’s going to win the Premier League

September 27th
What Jeff thinks of the current refs, John Obi Mikel and whether retrospective punishments are a good idea

September 21st
Jeff gives a dressing down to an abusive Chelsea fan and how goal line technology could affect the lower divisions

September 13th
Turning players who didn’t make the grade into referees and did Jeff take a bribe from Alex Ferguson?

On The Road To Wembley – September 6th
Jeff talks about Pools progress in the Paint Trophy and how he ended up squashed in a car with Stuart Drummond and Nick Loughlin

August 30th
Who should be playing in goal for Pools and a Boro fan asks about their struggling strike force

August 24th
Mike Dean’s decisions in the game against Doncaster, Florent Malouda’s dodgy penalty and whether TV replays should be used

August 16th
The relationship between referees and managers, Pools strike force and do refs pay any attention to the abuse they get?



Jeff Backs Pools For The Title – 9th August
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