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       #Post#: 74437--------------------------------------------------
       Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: January 18, 2024, 11:21 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very well,
       run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been as
       stellar as his lining one.
       #Post#: 74447--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Smithy
       Date: January 18, 2024, 4:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Whistleblower link ---
       >
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       #Post#: 74450--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: January 18, 2024, 5:04 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Smithy link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       I don't believe my comments lend themselves to the
       interpretation you have put upon them at all. Gavin Ward was
       outstanding at running the line, probably one of the best in the
       country. His career as a referee has not hit the same heights,
       evidenced by the fact that he has not joined the SG1 cohort of
       20 referees. That is the only point I am making. Being a SG2
       referee is indeed  " not too shabby " neither, I contend, is it
       stellar. For the record, should it be deemed necessary, I have
       no personal dislike of Mr Ward at all, indeed I have no real
       personal opinion about him other than his officiating. I have
       met him; he was agreeable but made no real impression on me for
       good or ill.
       #Post#: 74466--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: nemesis
       Date: January 19, 2024, 9:52 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Smithy link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       If one wants to "have a go" at any SG2 referees, there are a
       number of easy targets and I'm afraid Gavin Ward is one of them.
       He's simply very lucky to be making a living out of something
       he's not great at, in my opinion. He was, also in my opinion,
       the second best Assistant/linesman that I recall.
       #Post#: 74467--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Smithy
       Date: January 19, 2024, 10:51 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: nemesis link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Smithy link=topic=5613.msg74447#msg74447
       date=1705615538]
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       If one wants to "have a go" at any SG2 referees, there are a
       number of easy targets and I'm afraid Gavin Ward is one of them.
       He's simply very lucky to be making a living out of something
       he's not great at, in my opinion. He was, also in my opinion,
       the second best Assistant/linesman that I recall.
       [/quote]
       Everyone is entitled to their opinions, goes without saying. But
       I’m afraid when you stack up the facts and figures of Gavin
       Ward’s career as a referee against the credibility of ‘lucky to
       be making a living’, well your opinion is difficult to take as
       credible.
       Facts and figures. Look at his career. Look at the length of it.
       Maybe, possibly he is actually good and you just don’t like
       him??
       #Post#: 74468--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
       Date: January 19, 2024, 10:56 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Smithy link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       I thought the opening post from one of our most esteemed and
       well respected contributors was in no way nebulous.
       The comment was well conveyed and entirely accurate.
       #Post#: 74470--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Smithy
       Date: January 19, 2024, 11:42 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: TheThingFromLewes link ---
       >
       > [quote author=Smithy link=topic=5613.msg74447#msg74447
       date=1705615538]
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       I thought the opening post from one of our most esteemed and
       well respected contributors was in no way nebulous.
       The comment was well conveyed and entirely accurate.
       [/quote]
       There is an extreme personal bias against certain referees on
       this site which is often not even disguised. Gavin Ward is one
       of them.
       I thought the opening comments here were “having a go” but
       that’s just an interpretation which could easily be wrong. Maybe
       that interpretation has been influenced by everything that has
       come before on here.
       #Post#: 74478--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Leggy
       Date: January 19, 2024, 12:34 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       "There is an extreme personal bias against certain referees on
       this site which is often not even disguised. Gavin Ward is one
       of them."
       This statement is 100% correct.
       I have always thought that referee assessors (as they were
       called in my day) sometimes looked a certain referees and tried
       to determine why they were so highly regarded - i.e. they look
       for the good bits.  They also used to do the opposite with the
       referees that "were known" to be struggling.  Its human nature,
       but objective observers should guard against this bias.
       PS:   Gavin Ward has "survived" for a pretty long time on SG2.
       That means - in the eyes of those who actually makes these
       decisions - he is one of the top 40 (or so) referees in England.
       I'd have given my right arm for that and I guess many others
       would have to.
       #Post#: 74479--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: Claretman
       Date: January 19, 2024, 12:57 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Leggy link ---
       >
       > "There is an extreme personal bias against certain referees on
       this site which is often not even disguised. Gavin Ward is one
       of them."
       >
       > This statement is 100% correct.
       >
       > I have always thought that referee assessors (as they were
       called in my day) sometimes looked a certain referees and tried
       to determine why they were so highly regarded - i.e. they look
       for the good bits.  They also used to do the opposite with the
       referees that "were known" to be struggling.  Its human nature,
       but objective observers should guard against this bias.
       >
       > PS:   Gavin Ward has "survived" for a pretty long time on SG2.
       That means - in the eyes of those who actually makes these
       decisions - he is one of the top 40 (or so) referees in England.
       I'd have given my right arm for that and I guess many others
       would have to.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I have no axe to grind with Mr Ward, i have only seen him
       officiate on tv
       From time to time.
       Not specifically related to mr Ward bit in general, i would say.
       There is also contract law that comes into play when you reach
       sg1 and sg2 and it is extremely difficult for officials to be
       demoted due to the said law, so i wouldnt actually take length
       of service in those categories to determine who is in the top
       40. I would have done more so prior to sg1 and Sg2 forming, but
       even then there were still favourites in the elite being pushed
       higher than their ability suggested they should be.
       Yes a matter of opinion i know, but surely that is what forums
       are for to state an opinion.
       #Post#: 74482--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Gavin Ward
   DIR By: nemesis
       Date: January 19, 2024, 3:11 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       --- Quote from: Smithy link ---
       >
       > [quote author=nemesis link=topic=5613.msg74466#msg74466
       date=1705679551]
       > [quote author=Smithy link=topic=5613.msg74447#msg74447
       date=1705615538]
       > [quote author=Whistleblower link=topic=5613.msg74437#msg74437
       date=1705598490]
       > The Times today reports that at the Wolves v Brentford FA Cup
       Replay last night, just before the start of extra time, AR Harry
       Lennard felt unwell and so couldn't continue. Gavin Ward the 4th
       official then had to run the line, going back to what he did
       best,  and a referee of only a couple of years standing, a Mr
       Ross Bennett, came from the crowd to be the 4th official.
       >
       > Perhaps Mr Ward got a taste of what he used to do so very
       well, run the line. Certainly his refereeing career has not been
       as stellar as his lining one.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       What point are you trying to make here?? It sounds like you’re
       “having a go”. Granted he was a FIFA assistant and not a FIFA
       referee, that much is fact. But he’s been a National List
       referee for many years and a Select Group 2 referee for what, 5
       or 6 years? That’s alright isn’t it, I mean, you know, not too
       shabby??
       I think when you say “has not been as stellar as….” maybe you
       are letting your personal dislike/opinion interfere with
       actually??
       [/quote]
       If one wants to "have a go" at any SG2 referees, there are a
       number of easy targets and I'm afraid Gavin Ward is one of them.
       He's simply very lucky to be making a living out of something
       he's not great at, in my opinion. He was, also in my opinion,
       the second best Assistant/linesman that I recall.
       [/quote]
       Everyone is entitled to their opinions, goes without saying. But
       I’m afraid when you stack up the facts and figures of Gavin
       Ward’s career as a referee against the credibility of ‘lucky to
       be making a living’, well your opinion is difficult to take as
       credible.
       Facts and figures. Look at his career. Look at the length of it.
       Maybe, possibly he is actually good and you just don’t like
       him??
       [/quote]
       Of course I don't dislike him; I've never met him nor spoken to
       him. I'm not a fan of his refereeing to be honest. I base this
       on the empirical evidence of paying to watch over 25 matches
       refereed by him supported by many more watched on TV. My first
       recollection of his refereeing was at Canvey Island in 2006. Too
       many of those matches were, in my opinion, not well refereed. No
       bias In fact Ipswich and Southend have both won a significant
       majority of the matched he's taken charge of.
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