Referees donning boots for a worthy cause

More than 30 referees will have to be on their best behaviour after agreeing to a role reversal to form two teams in a clash to raise funds for St John Ambulance.

Whistle-blowers Ajay Sharma, Jamie Lunn, Matt Bond and Greg Rollason are the men behind the venture.

Sharma’s partner’s father, Pete Smith, was seriously injured in an accident between junctions three and two of the M5 last year with St John Ambulance among the first on the scene.

Four members of St John, who had been on a driver training course, came across the smash and stopped to help.

Smith was left with multiple fractures and has undergone a series of operations since, but is thankfully on the mend and now the men in black have decided to pull on their boots on for a worthy cause.

“Four members of St John Ambulance were the first on the scene after the crash and helped to give Pete some life-saving treatment,” said Wolverhampton-based Sharma.

“We were thinking of a way we could raise some money for St John and thought the idea of two teams of refs playing against each other was something a bit different.

“Things have just gone from there and now we have got 30-odd refs playing for Team Allsopp, captained by Jake Allsopp, and Team Sharma.

“Jennifer Rice at Wolves has been brilliant in arranging for us to use their training ground for free and they have also provided a couple of prizes for a raffle.

“Wolves are also offering free tours of the training ground on the day. And the game is being filmed for the Jumpers for Goalposts show on Made in Birmingham TV.

“Our aim is to try to raise £1,000. We have been playing five-a-side on a Wednesday to get ready for the game, and paying a fiver a time with all the extra cash going into the pot for St John.

“Local Sunday league side UTC played a charity game recently and gave us some money and we are up to around £700 so far.

“We have all paid £25 to play and that has covered the cost of the kit as well.

“It should be a good day and hopefully we will raise plenty of money for a very worthy cause.

“But I can’t promise there won’t be any backchat towards the referee.

“We played a friendly game at The Hawthorns last week and there were a few pointers handed out to the ref!”

Steve Durnall is the man with the unenviable task of taking charge and he admits it will be a challenge.

“I had a call a couple of week ago asking me I would like to referee the game,” said Durnall, who has refereed for 15 years and recently passed his level three badge which allows him to officiate at Northern Premier League standard

“I have never taken charge of a charity game and I was honoured to be asked. But then I found out two teams made up of referees would be playing!

“I don’t think I am going to be short of advice and I am sure they will tell me what I am doing wrong!

“It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s in a good cause and hopefully lots of people will come along to support.”

Wolverhampton Referees Association chairman Phil Reade will act as fourth official with two other local refs, Wayne Harrison and John Nelson, running the line.

“It’s raising money for a good cause and I am looking forward to it,” said Reade.

“But I must admit I’m glad I’m not in the middle.

“Steve is going to be observed by 22 refs at very close quarters and I’m sure there will be a bit of advice passed on.

“But at least everyone should know what a foul is and what a dive is!”

And there will even be an appearance by Albion’s resident Baggie Bird – minus his costume.

Richard Eades, who is the Baggies mascot on match days, will be hoping to ruffle a few feathers when he lines up for Team Sharma.

Admission to Sunday’s game, which kicks off at 1pm, is £2.

Donations can be made to Sharma’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Midlandsreferees