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Date: 9th May 2024
Continuing our series of articles based on our Ops Director’s book on Scottish refereeing, all as part of our campaign to encourage some of our 83,000+ members to consider becoming a ref, this story features one of Scotland’s most famous (and successful) club managers…
“One other famous manager whom many referees in this book recall with affection (mostly) was Jim McLean…as Sandy Roy recalled…
“Jim McLean gave every referee zero points in his report to the SFA, but away from the match action he was a real gent. Referees always get two comps, and one day Jim spotted me when I arrived, early as usual, in my car at Tannadice. My wife and daughter were with me and they were going to use my complimentary tickets to get in, but Jim insisted that they come up to the directors’ box. Jim must have had a touchline ban at the time, because when my wife and daughter sat down in the box he was there and they had to listen as he ranted and raved at me for the entire 90 minutes.
“Another time I was on the line at Tannadice and Jim, banned still (or again) from the touchline, was in a little glass-fronted box just above the tunnel. I was, as you have to, keeping an eye (and ear) on the United coaching team in the dugout as Jim was relaying his instructions by phone. Jim had sent a message, containing all the usual invective, about a substitution and the other coaches were outside the dugout trying to get the player ready.
I could see the sub getting his track-suit off and knew I’d have to check his boots, so I made sure I was near the dugout. Unfortunately for the coaching staff, Jim had changed his mind and was frantically calling up the dugout again. In a state of total exasperation at the seeming inefficiency of his staff, he opened the glass window in his cubby-hole and bellowed, Will some **** answer that ******* phone!’ I’m running up and down the line as this is going on, trying desperately not to **** myself laughing.”
Stuart Murphy, CEO, SFSA
Posted in: Latest News, Refereeing