Portsmouth Referees' Association

Portsmouth RS Referee Profile - Lucy May

National List Assistant Referee Amy Fearn recently made history by becoming the first female Referee to take charge of a Football League Match when she replaced injured referee Tony Bates in a Championship Fixture at Nottingham Forest after 71 Minutes. Looking to progress in a similar fashion is Portsmouth's very own Lucy May, who is the latest subject of our Referee Profiles.

Occupation: Law Student/Lecturer in Sport

Which Football Team (if any) do you support? Pompey

Did you play football at any level before commencing your career as a referee?

When I was a bit younger at school but never really got into it that much!

Were you ever cautioned or sent-off by another referee whilst you were a player? (If yes please give details)

No, and even if I was I wouldn’t admit it!!

How did you get introduced into refereeing?

I used to run the line for my Dad and Iain Thomson persuaded me to attend a course he was running which had just started, I agreed and never looked back!

Refereeing Career History (eg Leagues, Appointments etc)

Started out just doing junior football then moved into the scary world of Adult football! Slowly progressed through the ranks and managed to get some FA Cup and FA Vase appointments in the last two years! Currently referee on the Hampshire Premier League and Sydenhams Wessex League.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

My County Cup Finals and my FA Cup and Vase appointments!

What is the best game you have officiated and why?

There’s too many! I enjoy them all!

What would you consider are the biggest games you have Refereed and Assisted at?

FA Cup and FA Vase.

Lucy with the current crop of South Downs Referee’s Academy. Picture taken after the girls passed their exams in November 2009 after which they then went on to officiate on their first games whilst Lucy acted as a mentor and coach.

 

What are you aims and short and long-term goals as a Referee?

In the short term it is to gain my Level 4 promotion this year! My long term goal is to make it as a Ladies FIFA Assistant/Referee.

Have you ever been the subject of any sexist humour by players or supporters? (If yes please give details)

Yes! I think most of it is too explicit to put on a public document though! Most of it centres on being a female and being better in the kitchen etc. I will never forget my first adult game at King George's in Cosham when the keeper shouted during kit inspection that the "Ref has got tits boys!", but I usually give as good as I get with the banter!

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?

There’s been a few. I wouldn’t have started without Iain Thomson and my Dad. Chris Beech and Kevin Potts helped me a lot when starting out on adults football, they would always listen and for that I am very grateful! More recently Nick Taplin, Brian LeBreton and Janie Frampton keep me going and never let me slack off. But there has to be a massive thanks to Ben Knight for all the help with my fitness test!

In your opinion who is/was the best Referee from the National & Select Group List of Referees?

Great lover of Howard Webb

In your opinion who is currently the best referee from the Portsmouth Society? (apart from yourself of course!)

OOOOO this is a bit controversial isn’t it!?!?! For me there are 4 - Andy Laver, Dean Treleaven, Ben Knight and Dan Cook!

Which other Referees do you most enjoy working with on matches from the Portsmouth Society?

I haven’t been out with many from the society lately!

What advice would you give to our new and young Referees from the Portsmouth Society?

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." – I was given that quote when I started out by Janie Frampton and I still have it written on my wall now! But people forget that success is nothing if you don’t enjoy it too!

Lucy with assistants Paula and Steve Wyatt before fundraiser game in November 2008. The match played between Havant & Waterlooville Academy and Portsmouth ‘Legends’ which included a few famous faces and helped to raise thousands of pounds for the cause.

 

What advice would you give to any other female referees who are just starting out?

Don’t ever feel like you are alone, there is always someone there who will listen especially within our RA. Stick with it and keep smiling and you will go far!

If any, what laws would you change in football which you think would improve the game?

Go back to the old offside rule. Trying to explain it to club officials on a Sunday morning is murder!!

What is the funniest incident you can recall at a football match that you officiated at?

There have been a few! It probably has to be the "rabbit" incident though! And no I am not going into more detail - it is still embarrassing now!!

Are you in favour of any Video Technology at the higher levels of the game and if so to what degree?

I can see its benefits, but I also think it would cause a lot of controversy. I would only personally want to use it in the event of big incidents.

Can you recall having any "nightmares" and if so can you describe them?

I was refereeing a youth match at Alexandra Park, and the parents got a tad too involved. I was 15 years old and it resulted in me having to abandon the game. I have never been so scared. I have a lot of admiration for young referee’s, I often think that youth games are harder as you not only have the 22 players but you also have the parents to contend with.

Since Assessment marks were disclosed to Referees what is the highest mark you have been awarded as a Referee? (Include Match if you can recall it)

I have no idea what the mark was but I got it from John Stonehouse in my 6 – 5 promotion!

 

Thanks to Dean Treleaven for providing profile and of course to Lucy May.