URI:
   DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       RateTheRef
  HTML https://ratetheref.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: General Discussion
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 11248--------------------------------------------------
       Lee probert
   DIR By: Referee99
       Date: September 23, 2019, 12:43 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Confirmation lee has retired
       Lee Probert says he is going to miss refereeing at the highest
       level after announcing his retirement as a Select Group 1 match
       official.
       A long-standing back injury has forced the 47-year-old to hang
       up the whistle after two decades in the game and 181 Premier
       League matches to his name.
       "I've loved every one of them," he told premierleague.com.
       "They're all very memorable. They're all nice stadiums to go to,
       fantastic atmospheres. I'm going to miss it."
       Probert has fond memories of taking charge of the FA Cup final
       between Arsenal and Hull City, an honour bestowed upon only
       those referees at the very top of their game.
       Learning curve
       But that five-goal thriller was a far cry from the goalless draw
       12 years ago that he still regards as his baptism of fire.
       "A 0-0 draw between Bolton and Middlesbrough in November 2007 -
       that was a tough one," he said. "It probably won't last long in
       the memory of football fans but it sticks in my mind as I was
       new to the Premier League.
       "I had Kevin Davies on one side and David Wheater on the other
       and they were both managing the game better than I was! It
       wasn't my best performance but I definitely learnt from it."
       New opportunities
       Probert now hopes to use his vast experience in his next role.
       "The good thing is that while we've been refereeing, the PGMOL
       have offered us opportunities to further our education at
       colleges and universities," he said.
       "I've done a degree at Gloucester University and my plan now is
       to work with Par4 Sports, offering training camps in Spain for
       amateurs and professionals from every sport."
       #Post#: 11257--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: Hendo
       Date: September 23, 2019, 1:15 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Referee99 link ---
       >
       > Confirmation lee has retired
       >
       > Lee Probert says he is going to miss refereeing at the highest
       level after announcing his retirement as a Select Group 1 match
       official.
       >
       > A long-standing back injury has forced the 47-year-old to hang
       up the whistle after two decades in the game and 181 Premier
       League matches to his name.
       >
       > "I've loved every one of them," he told premierleague.com.
       "They're all very memorable. They're all nice stadiums to go to,
       fantastic atmospheres. I'm going to miss it."
       >
       > Probert has fond memories of taking charge of the FA Cup final
       between Arsenal and Hull City, an honour bestowed upon only
       those referees at the very top of their game.
       >
       > Learning curve
       >
       > But that five-goal thriller was a far cry from the goalless
       draw 12 years ago that he still regards as his baptism of fire.
       >
       > "A 0-0 draw between Bolton and Middlesbrough in November 2007
       - that was a tough one," he said. "It probably won't last long
       in the memory of football fans but it sticks in my mind as I was
       new to the Premier League.
       >
       > "I had Kevin Davies on one side and David Wheater on the other
       and they were both managing the game better than I was! It
       wasn't my best performance but I definitely learnt from it."
       >
       > New opportunities
       >
       > Probert now hopes to use his vast experience in his next role.
       >
       > "The good thing is that while we've been refereeing, the PGMOL
       have offered us opportunities to further our education at
       colleges and universities," he said.
       >
       > "I've done a degree at Gloucester University and my plan now
       is to work with Par4 Sports, offering training camps in Spain
       for amateurs and professionals from every sport."
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Sad to hear this. One of footballs nice guys and in my opinion a
       very underrated ref who seemed to have a great empathy with the
       players and was well respected. Would much rather have him than
       the Clattenburgs of this world.
       Hope his new venture is a great success.
       #Post#: 11262--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: rustyref
       Date: September 23, 2019, 2:03 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       It turns out that it was the challenge between Ben Watson and
       Steve Sidwell, where he became the meat in the sandwich, that
       caused the serious back injury which required major surgery.
  HTML https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIB-vRpymKA
       #Post#: 11264--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: Readingfan
       Date: September 23, 2019, 2:26 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Interview with Probert in The Times -
  HTML https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lee-probert-injury-was-so-severe-the-surgeon-asked-if-i-had-been-in-car-crash-8gl6n8zc6
       Sad to see him retire. He was always a safe pair on hands when I
       saw him on Reading games and seemed to have a good rapport with
       the players. A steady official who refereed in a sensible and
       likeable manner. All the best for the future to him.
       #Post#: 11265--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: Mackem ref
       Date: September 23, 2019, 2:56 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Always sorry to see an official's career cut short due to
       injury. Best of luck to Lee - his laid back approach will be
       sadly missed by top level refereeing!
       #Post#: 11266--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: QuoCob
       Date: September 23, 2019, 3:09 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Saw him take charge of a couple of our games, he was a totally
       different level to the usual officials we had.  A lot of the
       bottom two division fans enjoyed his sojourn down with us...I
       know he'll be missed and for the right reasons.
       #Post#: 11271--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: Acme Thunderer
       Date: September 24, 2019, 2:54 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Sorry to hear this news about Lee but quite understand his
       reasons for moving away from top flight refereeing. I saw him
       referee both Palace games v Burnley last season and he was
       excellent on both occasions. I also had the pleasure of seeing
       him at Gresty Road in L2 a few years back when he was first
       recovering from his back injury and he was one of the best I've
       seen at the Alex, with absolutely no PL airs and graces about
       him. It was good that he got back to the PL despite the obvious
       seriousness of his injury.
       I note that Lee's penultimate game last season was in L2 - a
       promotion game at MKD. His last game was Southampton v
       Huddersfield in the PL on 12th May 2019 and I will now amend the
       'last games' thread on ISOR.
       Interesting to note that Lee does not appear to be heading into
       the VAR booth, and perhaps the authorities have come away from
       the idea of having former PL refs undertaking this role.
       I wish Lee all the very best for the future.    :)
       #Post#: 11275--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: QuoCob
       Date: September 24, 2019, 4:10 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Mirror:
       "LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in recent
       seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant referee)
       but will not be able to because he has not passed the annual
       fitness test."
  HTML https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415
       #Post#: 11276--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: Toprefm
       Date: September 24, 2019, 6:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: QuoCob link ---
       >
       > Mirror:
       > "LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in
       recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant
       referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the
       annual fitness test."
       >
  HTML https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/intrigue-surrounds-stan-kroenkes-real-20101415
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       If this is correct then it's utter stupidity at best
       ajb95 meant to click agree not disagree but can't change it -
       see below discussion! bmb
       #Post#: 11277--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Lee probert
   DIR By: JCFC
       Date: September 24, 2019, 6:04 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: QuoCob link ---
       >
       > Mirror:
       > "LeeProbert, one of he best referees in the top flight in
       recent seasons, did look at becoming a VAR (video assistant
       referee) but will not be able to because he has not passed the
       annual fitness test."
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       And so the Ship of Fools sails on.
       *****************************************************
       Page 1 of 2
   DIR Next Page