NorfolkFA.com recently took some time to catch up with Barry Knight, our Referee Development Officer...
NCFA Barry, how long have you been working with Norfolk FA?
BK I started in my role as Referee Development Officer in October 2005, at the time the County FA decided to employ a full time RDO, as opposed to carrying on with County Training Officers for Referees. Unlike at a lot of other counties, I work within the Football Development Team, which has been an enjoyable experience for me. Seeing how other members of staff get involved in coaching at various levels has helped me in my role, by enabling me to use their contacts to expand refereeing in our area.
NCFA What was it that made you want to work in football?
BK Refereeing and referee training had been my hobby (my wife would say at times my sole life) since I started refereeing in 1977. When the opportunity came to apply for the RDO post, I was going through a major change in my professional career and the opportunity to put my knowledge of refereeing to use, gained through my various training roles over the years, was too good an opportunity to miss. My application was successful and the rest is history, so to speak.
NCFA What sort of tasks does your role require of you on a day to day basis?
BK My role is twofold in the main. The first is to develop referees and the standard that they operate at, helping them to reach their individual goals and the highest level possible. This also involves recruiting sufficient referees to meet the County FA’s aim of having every adult game officiated by a qualified referee. The second part of my role is to develop refereeing in all aspects of football, especially in the youth section of the game. This is achieved by educating clubs and club members through an ongoing education programme aimed specifically at youth football level. This is on top the usual refereeing problems that may arise through games and appointments of referees - basically anything that relates to refereeing is handed to me.
NCFA What is it you enjoy most about your job?
BK Working with all the other staff at the County FA - we all have the same aim, whether we are referee tutors, coach tutors or governance personnel, which is to see the people we have contact with improve their enjoyment of being involved with football. To see someone who has started at the bottom and achieved their aim is very satisfying.
NCFA Are there any current elite referees or assistants that particularly impress you?
BK All those that reach that level as either a Referee or Assistant Referee have to be admired, you only get there through being the best at the job you are doing and having a complete dedication to that role. You cannot help but admire the achievements of Howard Webb, Mike Mullarky and Norfolk’s own Darren Cann for what they have achieved in 2009-10, as they only got there through the points I made earlier.
NCFA How proud a moment was it for you to see Darren on the line for this summer’s World Cup final?
BK From a personal point of view, to see a friend achieve the ultimate appointment was great. I was travelling along the A47 when the announcement was broadcast on the radio and the sense of pleasure for Darren meant the last 30 miles of the journey were done on auto pilot! From a professional aspect, Darren getting to the World Cup as a match official was a marvellous promotional opportunity to increase the number of referees in Norfolk. Refereeing is now a very real career path, as proven by Darren, and his involvement in the final and the subsequent media coverage will hopefully resonate with young would be referees in Norfolk.
NCFA Do referees secretly follow a football team? If so, what’s yours!
BK The team I follow goes back to my childhood days when I lived in West London. My Dad used to take me on the crossbar of his bike to see Brentford (well at least 'til I got too big to sit on the crossbar and he started to puff a bit, so he got me my own bike!). They are still the first result I look for in the paper or on the internet. When I started work in the late 60’s I did often go the Chelsea, not just to see them but to see the many teams that they played against from the old First Division.
NCFA Who do you expect to be walking away with the Premier League title this coming season?
BK That's a difficult question. I think there may be a few surprises this season, but overall I would think at the end of the season the big teams will be in contention. That said, a few of the Manchester United players are now well into their 30's and that may effect their staying power. I hope I am right and that the title chase does become more open this season.
NCFA Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work?
BK When your work is now what was your hobby for many years, it does reduce the hobbies and interests somewhat. However I do enjoy going away in the Folding Camper to see different parts of the country and then there are the grand children. Being in their company is great, you can have all the fun that you had with your own children, but you can give them back at night and then relax!