"On a breezy Friday at the University of Warwick, three match officials stride into the centre of the pitch, ready to take charge of an under-19s fixture. Running one line today, Liam Trotter has 300-plus Football League outings to his name, the majority in the Championship for Ipswich, Millwall, Bolton and Nottingham Forest. Holding the other assistant referee's flag in his hand, Peter Vincenti turned out for Aldershot, Rochdale and Stevenage. Grasping the whistle is ex-Barnsley and Gateshead defender George Smith."
"The programme is a joint initiative involving the PFA and Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for referees across professional football in England. With support from the Premier League, PFA and the FA, each of the former players is paid a 40,000 salary while they train as officials, the aim being to fast-track them to the top should they prove competent enough to progress that far."
"On the final day of the latest training camp, the officials are taking it in turns to referee 15 minutes apiece. Retired Premier League whistle-blowers Phil Dowd and Lee Mason observe from the sidelines, analysing ahead of a feedback session. This isn't the most fractious game of football FFT has ever seen, but it's still competitive and leads to some challenging decision-making."
On a breezy Friday at the University of Warwick, three former professional players officiate an under-19 fixture as part of a Player To Match Official programme. Liam Trotter, Peter Vincenti and George Smith bring extensive playing experience from the Football League and non-league clubs. The three-year programme, run by PGMOL with support from the Premier League, PFA and the FA, pays each participant a £40,000 salary while they train as officials. Ten ex-pros began the scheme to fast-track former players into refereeing at higher levels if they demonstrate competence. Retired referees observe training matches and provide feedback on decision-making and match management.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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