I will complete 35 years’ refereeing in local football this year – the last 25 years in York.
I fully support the launch of the Respect campaign, although I have to say that in my experience behaviour of players is nowhere near as bad as would like to be portrayed.
Unsavoury happenings on the field are the exception rather than the rule.
I would prefer to publicise the unpaid work club secretaries, managers and groundstaff do during a season to ensure matches are played in all conditions.
I was at York RI on Saturday where the groundsman had prepared a superb playing surface.
And it was a match played in a wonderful spirit by both sides all with no offences to record – Respect campaign or no Respect campaign.
Malcolm Sunderland
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