Saturday morning amateur football doesn’t function without referees.

There are no contracts. No headlines waiting. No crowd applause at full time.

Just someone who loves the game enough to give up their weekend, take the decisions, and carry the responsibility.

Referees do it because they love football too. They prepare. They train. They travel. They manage moments most people only see from the side-lines.

Respect isn’t a bonus in amateur football — it’s the minimum requirement. And even then, too much respect still wouldn’t be enough.

This is Referee Corner — where we let the voice from the middle speak.

From your position in the middle, how did you see the game overall?

It was the clichéd game of two half’s and even players from both sides said that at the end. Croftpark dominated the first half before Southside were by far the stronger team in the second half and took the chances that came their way.

It wasn’t the most frantic contest — does a quieter game bring different challenges for a referee?

You need to ensure you stay focussed during quieter games and dont assume that the game will remain the same for the full duration. One incorrect decision can often see the tempo rise quickly.

Were there any moments that needed strong communication or game management from you?

I’ve reffed both teams a few times before and players on both sides know me which can make things easier when speaking to players off the ball or in passing. Both teams were very well behaved which makes my job much easier.

We’re well into the season now — how have you found this GCFA campaign compared to previous ones?

I think the leagues are just as competitive as ever but with more teams joining the league now, there is even greater depth. The games I’ve reffed have tended to be tight with little between the teams

Outside the 90 minutes, what does a typical week look like when you’re appointed? Do you cover Saturdays, Sundays, or both — and how do you prepare and balance it all?

I usually only ref on a Saturday morning and then in the afternoon I’m a Development Advisor for the SFA covering new refs in the West of Scotland League. Most of my spare time just now is spent training for a number of charity cycles I’m doing over the summer.