Ian Greaney.
Sadly, Ian passed away in 2014 but his personal story remains here so that it may act as encouragement for others to become a referee. Ian is missed by many.
Having played Football until I was 27 and refereed a few 5 a side games with the help of a local Referee Rodger Loader in a local indoor League I got the bug to become a referee. So Rodger suggested to look at taking a referee's course. So in the Summer of 1989 a rang the Newport & District League Secretary Mr Cliff Kingston who in turn gave me the telephone number of a Gwent County Instructor Mr George James.
Later the same day nervously I rang Mr James, to my surprise he was very helpful, and he advised me that there was a course of instruction starting at Pontypool Leisure Centre in a few weeks time.
So in July of 1989 I made my way up to Pontypool Leisure Centre to undertake the course. Their were 12 candidates all eager to learn, thinking we knew all about refereeing. How wrong we all were, after a few short weeks with George we realised we were not really that clever but learnt quickly over the period of the 8 weeks.
After the 8 weeks had elapsed it was time to take the dreaded exam, fortunately a week after taking the exam I was informed that I had passed the course.
Not really knowing what to do next I received a letter to register as a referee in the Gwent County area. Having played locally for a few years for Gwent County and Newport & District Clubs I decided I would like to Referee in a League I had not previously played in, so I put on my registration form that I would like to officiate in the Gwent Central League for the start of the 1989-90 season.
Having bought my referee's kit, flags, boots, whistle, cards etc in earnest to begin my refereeing career.
One evening the house telephone rang, I answered the phone and there was a man on the other end of the phone with a stammer in his speech. He said his name was Mr Ray Griffiths. He of course as many of us know was the League Secretary of the Gwent Central Football League. He informed me that I had been allocated to his League and I was refereeing my first competitive game for him in early September; Fairfield against Tranch.
So early September of 1989 I made my way to Fairfield's ground, (What a place to start your first match!). Anyway without too many problems the game went well and the final whistle blew. I was making my way up the "39" steps to the changing room when a stuttering voice said to me not to bad for your first game but where are your "White laces" in your boots? Yes, as a few of you will know they were one of the things Ray Griffiths used to like to see you wearing on your boots. So the Monday after the game it was down to the shops to buy a set of white laces. (I think the shopkeeper thought I liked buying laces that year as I must of went through about 20 sets in the fear that I would see Ray again).
But in all my early years of refereeing for those of you that know Ray I really believe I would not of got where I did without the help of Ray. He was my unofficial Mentor and great friend, almost every week we would be on the phone discussing what had happened the previous Saturday. His advise was invaluable not just to myself but other referee's that were also starting out. The likes of Jeff Anslow and Kevin Barnaby, I know they will say exactly the same about Ray. It was with deep regret sadly Ray passed away in 2013. Thank you Ray for all your help over my early years you were always supportive and on the end of the phone good, Bad or Indifferent game.
After three seasons in the Gwent Central I attained my "B" class as a referee and started refereeing in the Gwent County league. In those days you had to referee a full season as a "B" class referee in that League under Glyn Jones before you would even be considered to line in the Welsh League.
So after one season I received a letter to apply to officiate in the Welsh League but only as a Linesman. I was pleased as this was the next step on the ladder. Idwal Williams the Welsh League Secretary sent me the fixture list through and I was on the line, Mark Sansom was the Referee. I will never forget that first game; we were at a ground in Swansea (The name of the club I cant remember at present) and as junior Linesman I was a little nervous being my first Welsh League game, but Mark made me feel at ease. The game went well and Mark as always officiated the game well. But two things I always remember about this game is on two occasions the home players wanted to have a moan at me about a decision, but fair play to Mark each time he defused the situation by promptly issuing both players with yellow cards. I subsequently had no further trouble during the game because of Mark's control.
I was lucky during my career to be promoted to the Welsh League referee's list and the assistants list on the League of Wales where I was fortunate to officiate at many top level games and made many friends along the way. I have many a story to tell ( but not on this website).
Since finishing refereeing I am still an active member of our Association (MONRA) and am a referee instructor and assessor, which I get great enjoyment out of. Helping new referee's start off on the ladder and giving them the benefit of my knowledge and experience like others gave to me I hope it will benefit them and help them to have a long and successful career in refereeing.
I would honestly say I wished I took up the whistle earlier, I loved every minute of being a referee and I would encourage anyone to take up the whistle. It is a very satisfying and enjoyable experience where you will make many friends.
Later the same day nervously I rang Mr James, to my surprise he was very helpful, and he advised me that there was a course of instruction starting at Pontypool Leisure Centre in a few weeks time.
So in July of 1989 I made my way up to Pontypool Leisure Centre to undertake the course. Their were 12 candidates all eager to learn, thinking we knew all about refereeing. How wrong we all were, after a few short weeks with George we realised we were not really that clever but learnt quickly over the period of the 8 weeks.
After the 8 weeks had elapsed it was time to take the dreaded exam, fortunately a week after taking the exam I was informed that I had passed the course.
Not really knowing what to do next I received a letter to register as a referee in the Gwent County area. Having played locally for a few years for Gwent County and Newport & District Clubs I decided I would like to Referee in a League I had not previously played in, so I put on my registration form that I would like to officiate in the Gwent Central League for the start of the 1989-90 season.
Having bought my referee's kit, flags, boots, whistle, cards etc in earnest to begin my refereeing career.
One evening the house telephone rang, I answered the phone and there was a man on the other end of the phone with a stammer in his speech. He said his name was Mr Ray Griffiths. He of course as many of us know was the League Secretary of the Gwent Central Football League. He informed me that I had been allocated to his League and I was refereeing my first competitive game for him in early September; Fairfield against Tranch.
So early September of 1989 I made my way to Fairfield's ground, (What a place to start your first match!). Anyway without too many problems the game went well and the final whistle blew. I was making my way up the "39" steps to the changing room when a stuttering voice said to me not to bad for your first game but where are your "White laces" in your boots? Yes, as a few of you will know they were one of the things Ray Griffiths used to like to see you wearing on your boots. So the Monday after the game it was down to the shops to buy a set of white laces. (I think the shopkeeper thought I liked buying laces that year as I must of went through about 20 sets in the fear that I would see Ray again).
But in all my early years of refereeing for those of you that know Ray I really believe I would not of got where I did without the help of Ray. He was my unofficial Mentor and great friend, almost every week we would be on the phone discussing what had happened the previous Saturday. His advise was invaluable not just to myself but other referee's that were also starting out. The likes of Jeff Anslow and Kevin Barnaby, I know they will say exactly the same about Ray. It was with deep regret sadly Ray passed away in 2013. Thank you Ray for all your help over my early years you were always supportive and on the end of the phone good, Bad or Indifferent game.
After three seasons in the Gwent Central I attained my "B" class as a referee and started refereeing in the Gwent County league. In those days you had to referee a full season as a "B" class referee in that League under Glyn Jones before you would even be considered to line in the Welsh League.
So after one season I received a letter to apply to officiate in the Welsh League but only as a Linesman. I was pleased as this was the next step on the ladder. Idwal Williams the Welsh League Secretary sent me the fixture list through and I was on the line, Mark Sansom was the Referee. I will never forget that first game; we were at a ground in Swansea (The name of the club I cant remember at present) and as junior Linesman I was a little nervous being my first Welsh League game, but Mark made me feel at ease. The game went well and Mark as always officiated the game well. But two things I always remember about this game is on two occasions the home players wanted to have a moan at me about a decision, but fair play to Mark each time he defused the situation by promptly issuing both players with yellow cards. I subsequently had no further trouble during the game because of Mark's control.
I was lucky during my career to be promoted to the Welsh League referee's list and the assistants list on the League of Wales where I was fortunate to officiate at many top level games and made many friends along the way. I have many a story to tell ( but not on this website).
Since finishing refereeing I am still an active member of our Association (MONRA) and am a referee instructor and assessor, which I get great enjoyment out of. Helping new referee's start off on the ladder and giving them the benefit of my knowledge and experience like others gave to me I hope it will benefit them and help them to have a long and successful career in refereeing.
I would honestly say I wished I took up the whistle earlier, I loved every minute of being a referee and I would encourage anyone to take up the whistle. It is a very satisfying and enjoyable experience where you will make many friends.