The Grassroots Football Referee

Hosted by Berks & Bucks FA

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Latest episode

May 2025

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About the show

Berks & Bucks FA's, Adam Parry & Isaac Blakey, catch up with Match Officials and volunteers from across the game. From grassroots to professional level, 'The Grassroots Football Referee' podcast discusses all things refereeing, from development to inclusion and opportunities to get involved - listen in as our guests discuss different topics and share fascinating insights into their journies in the game.

Listen to episodes

13 recent

May 16, 202524 min

Adam visits the Referee Recognition Awards 2025

In this episode, join Adam as he visits the referee recognition awards in Manchester to speak to both of our award winners, along with some other special guests who he caught up with at the conclusion of the awards. Isaac also shares his insight into village cricket, batting at number 11 and the demise of cricket tea's. For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren FellerdaleThank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

March 27, 2025Episode 747 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Raj Randhawa

In this episode, Adam and Isaac are joined by FA Refereeing’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Raj Randhawa. Raj discusses how his love of football came about, why he supports Arsenal, and his roles in football in the North East of England. In this special episode, Adam takes on Raj in a quiz on Liverpool vs Arsenal, written by our very own Isaac Blakey. Raj also shares the work he has done with the FA to promote equality in refereeing and his plans in this area.For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

January 15, 2025Episode 61 hr 5 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Stuart Carrington

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by the author of ‘Blowing The Whistle: The Psychology of Football Refereeing’ and Berks & Bucks FA Referee Stuart Carrington. Stuart discusses his interest in the psychology of football refereeing and where this interest has led him. He talks about his recent research into home bias, and the role of vicarious experiences for referees and shares his top tips for referees to manage their thoughts and emotions. Stuart is also put to the test against Isaac on his knowledge of famous Stuarts. How well does Stuart know other Stuarts? For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/refereesVisit our episode sponsor Kicklocker to buy your official BBFA referees kit: Berks & Bucks FA Ref Store by Kitlocker.Find out more about how to become a Nike Partner Club with Kitlocker, visit: Kitlocker.com x NPC - Kitlocker.com Blog Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

January 8, 2025Episode 546 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Stephen Parkinson

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by Elite Referee Development Programme and Berks & Bucks FA referee Stephen Parkinson to discuss his journey in refereeing. Stephen shares his experiences first qualifying as a referee, his progression up the refereeing pyramid and discusses what it is like refereeing abroad in Germany. Stephen also provides fascinating insights into his journey in the game, including individual challenges and highlights and shows off his Welsh football knowledge in the start of pod quiz. For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

December 18, 2024Episode 447 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Alex Horne

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by Taskmaster host, Chesham United director and member of ‘The Horne Section’, Alex Horne. Alex discusses his love for football, his role at Chesham United and gives us some Law changes he would like to see in the Premier League. Alex takes part in a very loosely based Chesham United Quiz, called Chesh-Ham or Chesh-no Ham, and Adam is happy as Harvey Elliott gets a shoutout on the Pod! For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

December 11, 2024Episode 338 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Nathan Magill

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by the FA’s Head of Referee Development, Nathan Magill. Nathan shares his experiences as a referee in Australia, his progress up the Australian football pyramid and his work with Football Australia. Nathan also provides insight into his role at The FA and what he's looking forward to delivering as Head of FA Referee Development over the next two years.We are also joined on the pod by Berks & Bucks FA’s Football Workforce Administrator James Parker, who puts Adam and Isaac’s knowledge of Australian footballers to the test. For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

December 4, 2024Episode 248 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Marc Birkett

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by FIFA Futsal referee and National referee manager at the FA Marc Birkett. Marc shares his experiences of refereeing elite futsal, how he first got into football and his past role as RDO at Nottinghamshire FA. Marc also shares some insight into what the role of a National referee manager entails, gives us some insight into some FA projects he is looking forward to working on over the next 12 months and takes part in a Quiz on international Futsal. For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

November 27, 2024Episode 154 min

Adam & Isaac meet… Graham Scott

In this episode, Adam & Isaac are joined by Premier League referee Graham Scott to discuss his journey in refereeing. Graham shares his experiences, first qualifying as a referee, and his progression up the refereeing pyramid. He also discusses what it is like to referee in front of packed stadiums and the role of VAR in the Premier League. Isaac also takes on Graham in a quiz on goalkeepers. Graham also provides fascinating insights into his journey in the game, including individual challenges and highlights, and shares his top tips for referees looking to progress up the pyramid. For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

May 15, 202445 min

Adam meets... Level 3 Referee, Ollie Kaya

In this episode, Berks & Bucks FA's Referee Development Officer, Adam Parry, is joined by Senior Cup Final and Level 3 Referee Ollie Kaya. Together with Adam, Ollie discusses his journey to the Senior Cup Final, highlighting the challenges and experiences he faced over the years to get there. Ollie also provides fascinating insights into their journey in the game, including top tips for Referees wanting to progress up the refereeing pyramid.For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/refereesMusic by Darren FellerdaleThank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!

March 11, 202449 min

Minesh & Adam meet... to discuss Referee Development

In this episode, Berks & Bucks FA's Referee Training Officer, Minesh Gupta, and Referee Development Officer, Adam Parry meet to discuss the importance of Referee Development.Minesh and Adam discuss their roles and responsibilities within the BBFA Referee Workforce. They share their journeys in the game so far, including their challenges and successes and discuss how they want to help Referees at all levels.For more information about grassroots football refereeing in Berks & Bucks, please visit www.berks-bucksfa.com/referees Music by Darren Fellerdale.Thank you for listening! Follow @berksandbucksfa on all major social media platforms for more grassroots football content!