NCFA Darren, now you’ve had a chance to reflect on the World Cup, how satisfied are you with your campaign?
DC Naturally I am very happy with how the tournament went for me personally, but more importantly for us as a team. I have great memories from each of the four matches we officiated. It is of course a great honour and privilege to represent your country and particularly at a World Cup. That we were selected for the final match was the icing on the cake and a dream come true.
NCFA You were in South Africa for quite a long time, what did you typically do to fill your days? Was there any hotel boredom?!
DC We were lucky enough to be in South Africa for 6 weeks. I can honestly say that I didn't get bored once - our days were packed. Typically we trained every day for up to 3 hours (9am - 12 noon) then had lunch. The afternoons and evenings were taken up with watching the matches (yes, we watched almost all of them!) and in between matches we had debriefs of the previous games. There were lots of outdoor activities available for us at the hotel too including swimming, volleyball, cricket etc. In addition FIFA set up a games room for us which included table tennis, pool and darts, so there was always lots to do!
NCFA Did you get any free time to see some of South Africa? If so, were there any highlights?
DC Yes, FIFA also were excellent in ensuring we got sufficient free time (typically two days after refereeing a match). 'Matchday+2' for each trio was therefore an official rest day when we could relax, go shopping or have a meal outside of our hotel. In addition we visited an orphanage in a township - this was a very humbling experience and one of my abiding memories of South Africa.
NCFA There was plenty of speculation here in the media when you were not given a game at the quarter / semi stages of the competition – did you sense that you might be in with a good shout of getting the final?
DC I think part of the secret of our success was not to look too far ahead. We didn't analyse the appointments or worry about which trios got which matches. It is a cliche but we really did take it one game at a time. Our philosophy was simply to perform well enough in our match to earn another one.
NCFA When was the moment you learned of your selection for the final? How did that feel?!
DC We learnt of our appointment to referee the World Cup final 3 days beforehand - Thursday 8th July (at 6:06pm to be exact!). A member of the FIFA Referees Committee calmly walked to the front of the room and read out: "Match number 64, Holland v Spain, Referee: Webb, 1st Assistant: Cann, 2nd Assistant: Mullarkey".... The nine other referee trios and FIFA staff broke into spontaneous applause. It was hard for Howard, myself and Mike to hold back the tears. To be selected for the ultimate game is the greatest honour a match official can ever receive and it is a moment that I will cherish forever.
NCFA Were you able to appreciate and soak up the setting and atmosphere for the final?
DC FIFA allowed us to kindly visit the stadium the day before the final which we felt was important as part of our preparation. This allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the playing surface, dressing room and surrounding areas prior to matchday. We had exactly the same preparation for the Champions League Final in Madrid, which had served us so well. The atmosphere standing in the tunnel just prior to the match was electric - we could only see the first 10 metres of the pitch due to the slope of the tunnel and The World Cup trophy was sitting there in front of us, glistening. It was a very special moment.
NCFA Were you aware of the massive interest and support you were receiving here whilst it was all going on?
DC I think the sheer scale of public support across the country is only now becoming apparent since we returned home. Whilst in South Africa we were somewhat cocooned in our base and didn't have access to English TV or newspapers so any news we got was from friends and family via texts and e-mails. After England got knocked out we were told that sections of the media seemed to be getting behind us which was very nice to hear and a pleasant surprise. The support from family and friends was overwhelming - I received literally hundreds of texts and emails before and after the final. It was very humbling that everyone was so firmly behind us.
NCFA So, after a season that included the Champions League and World Cup finals, what’s next?!
DC We are all still young enough for the next World Cup in Brazil and would very much like the privilige of representing every referee in England once again. There are, however, some quality referees and assistants in this country who would also like that honour I'm sure, so we must all keep working hard. In the meantime we will have many important domestic and european appointments to officiate, so once again its important not to look too far ahead - just one game at a time...
Finally, sincere thanks to you all to for your wonderful support. As I said, it was overwhelming to receive so many good wishes whilst I was thousands of miles away from home. I feel lucky in so many ways, I have some great people around me and would not be where I am today without them.