REFEREE PROFILES
NAME – Douglas Ross
DATE OF BIRTH – 27/01/1983
PROFESSION – Councillor and MSP’s assistant.
REFEREE SINCE – October 2003
FIRST MATCH – Tarbolton v.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR REFEREEING
CAREER SO FAR–
There are several.
1. Refereeing a welfare cup
final – leading a team of four officials onto the pitch gives you a lot of
pride.
2. I was one of a group of
referees to officiate at a tournament involving teams from medical companies
from around
3. Being one of only 30 referees form around Scotland
in the SFA referee academy.
ANY PET HATES IN FOOTBALL?
Dissent.
WHICH, IF ANY, LAW WOULD YOU
CHANGE?
They are all there for a reason,
but I do think that cautioning a player if they remove their shirt after
scoring a goal can make the referee seem a spoil-sport.
WHAT DOES BEING A REFEREE MEAN
TO YOU?
A lot. I don’t know what to do
on a Saturday afternoon if I don’t have a game.
WHAT MADE YOU TAKE UP
REFEREEING?
I saw an advert in the Press and
Journal about the shortage of referees and decided to go along. I also
thought it would help me get fitter.
YOUR REFEREEING AMBITIONS –
To referee at
the highest level and to continue enjoying every game.
MAIN STRENGTHS –
Fitness and
the ability to have a laugh.
MAIN WEAKNESSES-
Can overact to
dissent from players.
FUNNIEST MOMENT WHILE
REFEREEING-
I was running the line for Al Frew at Lossiemouth before Junior clubs had to rope off the pitches. I had been standing
on the halfway line when play broke to my half so I started to sprint down the
line. I hadn’t realised a spectator was standing on the line, I ran
straight into him at full speed knocking him to the ground. I managed to
stay on my feet but in a daze I threw my flag up in the air and continued to
run to the corner flag. I got there and looked back to see the spectator
still on the ground, my flag lying about 10 yards away and Al and the other
assistant, John Dawson, in fits of laughter.
ANY HOBBIES & INTERESTS-
Young Farmers.
ADVICE FOR A REFEREE JUST
BEGINNING THEIR CAREER –
Remember you are in a privileged
position, but it is also something to enjoy. Senior members of the
association are always happy to pass on advice, so just ask.