Best Of Jeff Winter #5: Breaking and Entering

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter is taking a well deserved summer break but we’ve compiled some of the best questions he’s been asked over the course of the season.

Originally asked November 29th 2007

Jeff, why is the FA so scared to to mic referee’s to TV so that the audience can understand why decisions are made. Yes, to begin with the audience would pick the abuse and foul language….but it wouldn’t take long before players and clubs realised just how much they were shaming themselves and the clubs.
Chris W

I don`t know that they are scared, I don`t think it has really been discussed that seriously. As I have said in previous articles, if it presents a viable commercial prospect, it probably will happen. I personally do not see a great benefit in it, but that`s just me. I am not sure players could just stop swearing just like that.

Perhaps that is what the authorities and the clubs could be scared of, that players would get sent off more as Refs would have to act. Very good for the clean up the image of the game brigade, but it will destroy a lot of football matches.

Originally asked October 18th 2007

Is Uriah Rennie the worst referee you have ever seen, he is certainly the one named first by most fans when asked!?
Jonathan

Do you know this subject getting me going. Uriah Rennie is one of the top 20 referees out of 30,000 in this country. When he was coming through the ranks he was widely tipped by everybody to go to the very top. Then when he got there the same people starting knocking him. Obviously he stands out for certain reasons and this makes him an easier target becuase he is more noticeable.

When you get to the top of your profession ther is no such thing as a bad referee, yes, you can have bad games, but you are still one of the best. It is similiar with players, some are better than others. Is Gary Liddle crap? Well no obviously he isn’t but compare him to Ronaldino or Messi and some might say he is. So in commenting about the likes of Rennie in comparison to all other Refs is plain daft. If he came and Reffed your Sunday League side you would, I can gaurantee, say he was the best referee you had ever seen.

Originally asked May 8th 2008

Kevin Keegan said he had concerns over the difficulties of clubs breaking into the top 4. What do you make of this Jeff? Can anyone do it? Everton did it a few years back but they dropped away soon enough.
Mark

At present I would say it is virtually impossible for anyone to break into the top four, maybe one year yes, but on a consistent basis no. the money difference between the clubs is too great. In the Premier League there is now four divisions.

We have the top four, then the Everton`s, Villa’s etc. Below half way we see the third division where Boro currently reside then the fourth division where the teams with little or no chance of survival play yo-yo between the Prem and the Championship.

It is becoming quite boring in reality, the Championship offers more competition and more excitement. Too many premier League games are played with the fear factor taking over, teams are so scared of relegation that they defend desperately.

It would seem now that the only way to progress is via the cheque book and ifa club can unearth an Abramovic they might make progress, but foreign owners bring with them many problems, just ask Liverpool fans.

Click Here for our newly updated profile of Jeff Winter.

Remember to visit Jeff’s official site at www.jeffwinter.co.uk over the summer keep an eye out for the next best of column next Thursday.