I qualified as a referee in March 1998. Since then I have officiated in more than 2000 matches, in both adult and youth football. I have also travelled to international youth football tournaments in the USA, Spain and Portugal. Here I am in Lisbon!

I have mentored more than 150 youth and adult referees. Mentoring is one of the things I enjoy most in refereeing. Passing on my experience, helping colleagues succeed, watching them grow in confidence and encouraging them to develop their skills are all very, very satisfying.

I can offer both in-person pitch-side mentoring and online or telephone support.

I took part in 6 editions of the Schwann’s USA Cup, held every July at the National Sports Center, Blaine, Minneapolis , Minnesota USA. It hosts teams from all over the USA and Japan as well as several South American and European countries. The local MLS team, Minnesota United, are based at the Center and play pre-season friendlies during the tournament. I met former Saints player Gary Monk when he brought his Swansea City team there for a match.

In 2019, I spent a week in Western Cape, South Africa. I donated most of my referee kit and equipment to colleagues in the Struisbaai area, near the spot where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic. Here I am at the presentation event, presided over by the local mayor.

My referee medals. I have quite a collection of medals, awarded for officiating in domestic leagues, domestic and and international tournaments and tournament finals in four different countries.

Who knows? There’s nothing to stop one of our members from one day officiating in a major stadium such as St. Mary’s in Southampton, Wembley or the Estadio de Luz in Lisbon, home of multiple Portuguese Primera Liga champions Benfica. Here I am at St. Mary’s, ready to act as assistant referee in a charity match, at Wembley for the 2010 Johnstone Paints Trophy Final and visiting the Estadio de Luz as a tourist and fan.

TESTIMONIALS
Positive feedback for me from team managers, coaches, club officials and event organisers.

Sovereign Andrew at an Iber Cup tournament in Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal.

One
‘Not my turn to report the match result as we were away today, but I must pass on a note of congratulation to the referee.

We have never had a character like him before, and he was brilliant in speaking to the players both before AND after the match which, despite our 10 players losing 9-3 was an excellent sporting game…

The referee maintained perfect control, placed himself ideally and helped ensure all the children enjoyed a smooth and flowing game of football. At U11s age with the players relatively new to 11-a-side rules, he even helped them learn by explaining clearly the rules when a penalty had to be taken-unfortunately against my team, but accepted well by them.

As my adult assistant was new to the job, the ref even took time to explain carefully what was  expected before kick-off and this helped ensure we now have another helper who will be confident to do the job for us again.

Most games are good, but this was exceptional -it is great to have such an enjoyable Saturday morning.’

Ready to officiate in a charity match at St. Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton FC.

Two
‘Just a note to thank you for your help  with our football competition on Saturday…I felt the whole tournament benefitted from the professional way you carried out your role and several of the visiting staff commented on the helpful and friendly but firm approach you gave to each game.’

An opportunity to lead the referee team at a youth 6-a-side tournament in Hampshire. One of the happiest days I have ever had in refereeing. I joined four very capable, enthusiastic colleagues, all of whom I had worked with before. I knew they would do a great job and they did. Hats off also to the host club for looking after us so well.

Three
‘Can I just say what a brilliant referee we had for our U11s’ Hampshire Cup game Chandlers Ford vs Boscombe Albion. He was firm, fair and the game flowed-absolutely excellent! We couldn’t sing his prais

We support the Sovereign Project.
www.thesovereignproject.live