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#Post#: 90167--------------------------------------------------
Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: March 29, 2025, 5:10 pm
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My first ever sighting of Declan Bourne today and I am somewhat
at a loss to know how to report. He fits the perfect identikit
of a modern referee, exceedingly slim and with a short back and
sides haircut. His arms are held in a somewhat unusual posture
which makes him appear to be something of a robot. Now it may be
that Mr Bourne is the life and soul of any party he attends away
from the football pitch but I couldn't even begin to hazard a
guess at his personality because as far as I could see and hear
he didn't display any. A proper, manufactured referee. All this
said, he handled the match extremely well. There were two teams
endeavouring to play honest open football and the dark arts were
at a minimum and so Mr Bourne allowed the game to flow with only
absolutely necessary interventions from himself. His fitness was
good, he had a high level of toleration of fouls, he seemed to
use his ARs well, the Caution was entirely justified. He was
warmly shaken by the hand by both sets of players and management
at the conclusion. I imagine the Observer in the stands would be
favourably impressed. I might just have seen a glimpse of the
future of AI refereeing ! If he continues in this vein then I'm
sure he will be entrusted with good appointments at this level.
Whether he is ripe for promotion I just couldn't say. I didn't
see any star dust but if understated efficiency is what is being
sought then this is their man. A friend I went with said "a
good referee today, I barely noticed he was there" and if
invisibility is the criterion, then Mr Bourne achieved First
Class Honours in that regard.
However I have to report a sad and grievous loss. The wonderful
Anchor and Hope pub has closed. A sign reads "until further
notice". Apparently the owner has died. It is so sad to see this
great Thameside pub all shut up and it gilt interiors stripped.
I hope so much it doesn't get vandalised and that in due course
new owners will take it on but as we know, times are very hard
for the licensed trade at the moment and realistically I wonder
whether there is enough footfall, apart from match days, to make
it a viable concern. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi.
#Post#: 90169--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: refs1
Date: March 30, 2025, 3:20 am
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Declan is a friend of mine. That is a fair description of his
style of refereeing. Declan always puts in good solid
performances and is often underrated because no one seems to
understand he was actually there. Off the pitch great guy!
#Post#: 90170--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: JCFC
Date: March 30, 2025, 4:04 am
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Commiserations to Whistleblower on his loss. I had made a
mental note of his recommendation of that hostelry, but had
never had the chance to act on it and now never shall.
#Post#: 90174--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: Leggy
Date: March 30, 2025, 5:08 am
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Firstly, sad about the Anchor and Hope. I was brought up in the
area and the Valley was my first visit to a football ground.
Secondly, I think that today's football demands referees who
operate to a certain template. The ability, desire and
willingness to tolerate a maverick referee is much reduced these
days. Any referee who returns verbal fire with fire is likely
to be reported because "you can't speak to me like that" (spot
the hypocrisy).
Upcoming referees are also more "coached" than ever before and
they are coached to a national template of what is required.
The outcome is more and more referees of this ilk. It is
interesting that the OP notes the robotic style with some
sadness but also notes that the referee was warmly greeted at
the end of the game.
I suspect that the days of Roger Milford responding to the crowd
at the Goldstone baiting David Speedie ("David Speedie is a
w****r") by asking if he was a w****r are long gone.
#Post#: 90176--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: March 30, 2025, 5:38 am
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--- Quote from: Leggy link ---
>
> Firstly, sad about the Anchor and Hope. I was brought up in
the area and the Valley was my first visit to a football ground.
>
> Secondly, I think that today's football demands referees who
operate to a certain template. The ability, desire and
willingness to tolerate a maverick referee is much reduced these
days. Any referee who returns verbal fire with fire is likely
to be reported because "you can't speak to me like that" (spot
the hypocrisy).
>
> Upcoming referees are also more "coached" than ever before and
they are coached to a national template of what is required.
The outcome is more and more referees of this ilk. It is
interesting that the OP notes the robotic style with some
sadness but also notes that the referee was warmly greeted at
the end of the game.
>
> I suspect that the days of Roger Milford responding to the
crowd at the Goldstone baiting David Speedie ("David Speedie is
a w****r") by asking if he was a w****r are long gone.
>
--- End Quote ---
I suppose it all depends on the personalities of the referees of
yesteryear. People like Roger Milford and Kevin McNally
certainly didn't endear themselves to me but characters like
John Key and John Kirkby ( both operating out of Sheffield,
perhaps it is something about that great city ) were tremendous.
#Post#: 90177--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: March 30, 2025, 5:41 am
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--- Quote from: JCFC link ---
>
> Commiserations to Whistleblower on his loss. I had made a
mental note of his recommendation of that hostelry, but had
never had the chance to act on it and now never shall.
>
--- End Quote ---
Thank you. We are in the penitential season of Lent which is
superseded by the great festival of the Resurrection. Perhaps
that may stand as a metaphor for this great hostelry but I am
somewhat agnostic about the prospect.
#Post#: 90193--------------------------------------------------
Re: Declan Bourne : Charlton v Huddersfield
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: March 30, 2025, 10:28 am
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--- Quote from: Whistleblower link ---
>
> [quote author=JCFC link=topic=6852.msg90170#msg90170
date=1743325459]
> Commiserations to Whistleblower on his loss. I had made a
mental note of his recommendation of that hostelry, but had
never had the chance to act on it and now never shall.
>
--- End Quote ---
Thank you. We are in the penitential season of Lent which is
superseded by the great festival of the Resurrection. Perhaps
that may stand as a metaphor for this great hostelry but I am
somewhat agnostic about the prospect.
[/quote]
Will your Anchor hold in the storms of life ?
When the loss of a pub cuts you like a knife;
When the beer runs dry and you want to cry
Will your Hope in dust and ashes lie ?
We have an Anchor that is no more
Padlocked and closed makes our hearts so sore;
Still running by is the mighty Thames
Weeping at the loss of its precious gems.
( with apologies to William J Kirkpatrick )
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