And your proof of that is what, exactly? Because all the available evidence indicates that this is a genuine reaction to what was perceived to be a shocking performance by an official with a history of shocking performances. You can disagree with that reaction, but to suggest that it's all been put on simply as a deflection exercise flies in the face of the sequence of events for a start.

Do you include the tackle by Ben Fisher that clearly saw him hit the ball carrying player on the chest even though Mr Childs decided it was high as just one example?
Infact it was that bad that the commentators kept on talking about how we were getting unfairly hammered and that included the Saints loving Eddie BTW.

You had better go and tell the RFL/SL that then cause they don't think he reffed that one and seeing as I was there neither do I [url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/report.php?id=5980If you dont belive me look here![/url

Irony much?

I think you could argue that the change to full time referees has had a detrimental affect on the system as a whole (if not the quality of top individuals), as it will certainly have had an impact on the numbers who actually want to do the job.

why would anyone with a "proper" career give that up for a few years of being a referee - as a result, why would an ambitious young individual even enter the system knowing that they are never ever going to get any big games?

I'm not sure the fact that the elite match officials are full time necessarily puts anyone off taking up refereeing. The chances of progressing to that level are fairly slim after all and there are plenty of people officiating at amateur levels who have no desire to turn it into a career.

The issue is potentially with emerging officials, who by the time they are considered good enough to move up to full time status will find themselves already with jobs/careers, possibly families to support and mortgages to pay. It's asking a lot to get them to give up their day jobs to have a crack at being a full time match official with no guarantee of security if they are subsequently found to be not up to the standard required.

Based on the games I've seen, I can't say there has been a marked improvement in standards of decision making or fitness since the move to full time, so you have to wonder what the point was? All it did was cause one existing, highly experienced referee to quit.

Guess Leaguefan's refusal to answer the question means that he's not put his name forward either.

As a Hull FC fan who has been to every game this season (and for the past 20 years) I'm fully aware that our team and coach has deficiencies. However, what we witnessed on Friday from the 'referee' was just not acceptable and anyone who is in any doubt about that should watch the game back. Mr Child is a regular topic of discussion because he is a poor referee who just isn't up to the job at SL level and the sooner Stuart Cummins realises that, the better. Unfortunately what will happen is that Cummins will defend Child to the hilt after last Friday night rather than concede that one of his boys had a very poor evening. Referees should be accountable, just as players and coaches are, but it ain't ever going to happen and that's why we end up with scenarios like last Friday night and the Wakey v Cas game at the Millennium this season.

superleague, we told you so.

You actually done the maths to see if that figure is correct ?

your posts are so cringe worthy to read.

I'm no sure what prompted this, given that I've been defending Childs and criticising Agar. Also, I'm not sure what comment you seem to have taken offence at.

However, I should perhaps point out that I'm a practising referee - quite possibly one of the most experienced practising referees south of Birmingham. Blowing a whistle doesn't, of course, give you any more authority off the field on RFL organisation matters than the next person, but given I've re-read my comments on this thread and found nothing particularly controversial or extreme, I admit to being at a loss regarding your response....

A schoolteacher AND a referee?


You know what they say.


Those who do, DO. Those who can't do, TEACH.

Those who play, PLAY. Those who can't play REFEREE.

And those who can't do, play, teach or referee, pretend to be internet warriors on message boards in between bouts of self-abuse. Go wipe your keyboard down and stop bothering the grown-ups. You've been warned about this before.