Riley blows whistle on a first for Ulster refs
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
By Robert Fenton
Controversial Premiership referee Mike Riley was on hand in Belfast
yesterday to launch a new IFA DVD to promote refereeing.
Called 'Whistle While You Work', it's the first of its kind produced by any
football association in the world.
Mike pointed out how he started
in junior football in Rotherham 25 years ago and worked his way to the top.
"Refereeing can often be a lonely job but whether it is a junior match or
an FA Cup final in front of 100,000 fans, it is just the same - enjoying
being part of football," he said.
"When you go on to the
field you are representing the refereeing family and you know you will
always have their support."
The DVD is a joint-operation
between IFA staff headed by Alan Snoddy and the BBC's Joel Taggart.
It is a impressive piece of work and is the ideal means of giving young
people the right introduction to what refereeing has to offer.