Portsmouth RS Referee Profile - Andy Dine
For March’s Portsmouth Referee Profile feature, I decided to seek out a member of the society who has had a great deal of experience as a player in the local leagues prior to taking up the whistle. Whilst a few names came to mind the current Referee whose playing days interested me most was our very own Social Secretary Andy Dine – definitely a big character and also a very good highly ranked Level 4 Referee.
Occupation: Self Employed Sales Agent
Which Football Team (if any) do you support? Pompey
Did you play football at any level before commencing your career as a referee? Please give team names.
PG Utd, Gun Mounting, Paulsgrove, Ventora, Winters, Eldon Arms, Wicor, Portchester, Afc Portchester, Mayflower. Beacon, Cross Keys.
Were you ever cautioned or sent-off by another referee whilst you were a player? (If yes please give details including)
Only 10 (yes, ten) send offs, 60 plus cautions!
What recollections can you give us from the days when you played local football and Portsmouth Referees such as Rob Styles, Mick Pierce and Paul Scoble who all went onto become Football League and Premier League Referees were on the local parks?
Paul Scoble on his way up was very calm, relaxed and would communicate with us. Rob Styles never changed from local football to as you saw him refereeing Premier League games. He went around with a dead pan face and got a lot of stick when he done Wicor at the rec, but when he had enough, the cards would flow! He didn’t stand out from other referees at that time, he just done his job.
How did you get introduced into refereeing?
I was a football coach, due to the shortage of referees went to a course. Also when parents of other teams moaned I could say at least I was qualified and if you can do better here is the whistle. No takers!!
Refereeing Career History (eg Leagues, Appointments etc)
2001 to date. 6 years Local Level , 3 years Level 4. Oscar Ower Cup Final Middle, Billy Hill Cup Final x 2 Middles, Hants Junior `B` Cup Final Middle, Portsmouth Senior Cup Final Middle, Hampshire Womens Senior Cup Final Middle, Len Day Cup Final Middle, Hants Sunday Senior Cup Final 4th Offical, Wessex Combination Cup Final 4th official, Trophyman Cup (old Hampshire league Cup Final )AR 3 x FA Cup Appointments Middles, 5 Fa Vase Middles, 2 x FA Trophy AR, Army v Navy u 21`s Middles, Whiltshire FA v Oxfordshire FA Middle.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Getting Level 4 Due to the FA having to abolish the age limit.
What is the best game you have officiated and why?
Poole Town v VT FC. Last season’s deciding game for the Wessex Premier League Championship with almost 700 people watching - the highest ever league attendance on Wessex. The game finished 1-1 and Poole Town won the Championship. To get this appointment in only my second season at this level said you were doing well and could cope with such an important game.
What would you consider are the biggest games you have Refereed and Assisted at?
As above for Refereeing. Assistant refereeing this season Wealdstone v Kingstonian Isthmian Premier League. Top class!
What are you aims and short and long-term goals as a Referee?
To Keep fit and enjoy.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
No one really. Gone at it alone.
Refereeing Career History (eg Leagues, Appointments etc)
In your opinion who is the best Referee from the National & Select Group List of Referees?
Steve Bennett.
Who do you think is the best referee you have ever seen?
On Television – Pierluigi Collina, Watching On the field live was Steve Tanner.
In your opinion who is currently the best referee from the Portsmouth Society? (apart from yourself of course!) Dan Cook
Which other Referees do you most enjoy working with on matches from the Portsmouth Society?
Dan Cook, Andy Laver , Ben Knight Dean Treleaven, Tony Foster Mike Desborough.
What advice would you give to our new and young Referees from the Portsmouth Society?
Watch as many games as he or she can at the level they are at.
If any, what laws would you change in football which you think would improve the game?
Blue card for dissent, meaning 15 minutes off the field of play.
What is the funniest incident you can recall at a football match that you officiated at?
Dan Berry trying to be clever during a game. Ball went out of the ground and the spare was between the dugouts. Dan thought he would kick it down to the goal keeper, took a run up to kick the ball and as he kicked it he went up in the air landing on his bum with the ball moving about 2 feet. Much to the delight of the whole ground and me of course!
Are you in favour of any Video Technology at the higher levels of the game and if so to what degree?
No - leave it as it is.
Can you recall having any "nightmares" and if so can you describe them?
Giving offside this season from a goal kick whilst on the line. Only the assessor and the referee spotted it, not even me, the other assistant, or the crowd.
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)
This Season Brockenhurst v Moneyfields Wessex Prem 88
Thanks to Dean Treleaven for providing profile and of course to Andy Dine.