Quote: cod'ead "Please, we have touch judges in our game, we don't have linesmen, never have and never will.
But your argument I have always agreed with. Since the advent of full-time officials we see ever increasing use of those officials in whatever capacity they can be utilised, be that as touch judges or video refs. I can only assume that it's down to saving a few bob, working on the priciple of "well we're paying them anyway, so we might as well use them".
Finals were always the place to appoint senior touch judges, not to recycle existing referees. The two jobs are completely different, albeit complementary.
I'd like to see a referee and two particular touch judges appointed, as a team, to all fixtures. That way they can build something of a rapport and any inconsistencies should be easier to highlight and to deal with.'"
I was once asked by a friend of mine who was a match commisioner at the time, to accompany him into the referee's changeing room. Just as we opened the door, one of the touch judges was heard to ask the ref. what do you want us to watch out for today ? The ref. abruptley replied, I'm in charge you do nowt.