Football referee Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Football referee

Hours

Variable
Starting salary

£40,000 + per year

The work

As a football referee, you would look after the players’ safety and make sure they obey the rules of the game.

Before kick-off, you would:

inspect the pitch (if necessary), making sure that equipment like goalposts and nets are safely set up
check pitch markings
check that you have everything you need for the game, for example stopwatches, cards and radio communications (at top levels)
meet with team managers to see if there are any last minute changes to players and substitutes
brief your assistants on which signals to use and what to do in particular circumstances, for instance if there is a confrontation on the pitch.

During a game, you would:

follow the play and give decisions
consult with your assistants to back-up rulings
control the behaviour of the teams on the pitch, and their coaching staff on the sidelines.

At higher levels, you would also write up match reports for any incidents during a game that needed to be followed up, such as a controversial tackle or sending-off.

At professional and semi-professional levels, you would normally work with two assistant referees and a fourth official. In amateur football, you would take sole responsibility for the match.

Hours

Your hours would depend on whether you referee at amateur or professional level.

Amateur games are normally played at weekends and sometimes weekday evenings. You would referee games within your local area. At semi-professional and professional level, you may have to travel to grounds anywhere in the country.

Income

Referees at amateur level earn around £20 to £30 a match.
Match officials for semi-professional games can earn around £80 a game plus expenses.
Full-time, top-flight Premier League officials can earn around £40,000 a year, plus match fees.

Only Premier League officials are contracted and have a salary. All other league referees are paid on a fee-per-match basis, and usually have another source of income.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

The first step to becoming a referee is to register with your local County Football Association and then attend a basic Referee's Course.

For entry to the course you must:

be at least 14 years old
be reasonably fit
have good eyesight (with glasses or contact lenses if worn).

You will also need have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.

Criminal Records Bureau

The course usually takes around eight weeks to complete, and involves attending a series of evening and weekend workshops.

You can find out about courses and venues from your local Referees’ Association or County Football Association – check the FA website for contact details.

Refereeing in England is organised into 10 grades, which correspond to the level of match you can referee. The grades range from Level 10 for non-playing staff like instructors and assessors, up to Level One for full-time professionals.

When you have completed the Referee's Course, you will receive an FA Certificate of Qualification and move to level eight (if you are under 16) or Level Seven (if over 16).

Training and development

As you gain match experience, you can apply for promotion through the refereeing levels. Your performance will be assessed over a set number of games, usually a minimum of 20 for each level. You would have to take further training and pass tests to move up the levels.

Some County FAs have fast-track academies, which allow you to gain promotion more quickly if you show the potential to reach the higher levels.

In some areas you can take the following qualifications:

Level 1 Certificate for Match Officials in Football
Level 2 Certificate for Sports Officials (Football).

These certificates are made up of units, which involve passing a practical exam, completing assessed tasks and putting together evidence of your work on and off the field.

Once you are working as a referee, you could join the Football Association for Match Officials (FAMOA) or the Referees' Association.

Membership will give you access to development training courses, up-to-date news and support at all levels of your refereeing career. Contact the associations for more details.

You will need to re-register as a referee with your County FA at the start of each new season.

Skills and knowledge

a thorough understanding of the rules of the game
excellent communications skills
the self confidence to make difficult decisions
good people management skills
the ability to work as part of a team
a calm and professional approach
the ability to remain objective under pressure
excellent observational skills
good fitness levels.

More information

Referees Association (Opens new window)
www.footballreferee.org

Football Association Match Officials Association (FAMOA) (Opens new window)
www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Referee/FAMOA.aspxFootball Association (Referees)
www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Referee.aspx

Opportunities

According to the Football Association, the growth in the popularity of football, particularly for women and children, means that the demand for referees is increasing. However, in order to earn a living, most referees also have another full- or part-time job.

With experience at the right level, you could train to become a referee training instructor, match assessor or referee development officer within a County FA. You could also use your knowledge and experience to move into related areas, such as sports development in the community.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The sport and recreation industry is part of the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, represented by SkillsActive Sector Skills Council. This sector is based on leisure and recreation and includes: health and fitness; playwork; the outdoors; and the caravan industry. The UK active leisure, learning and well‐being sector currently employs 663,300 people, representing just over 2% of the UK workforce, and an estimated 1.9 million volunteers in England (equating to 54,000 full‐time equivalents). There are an estimated 39,800 workplaces, of which 74% employ 10 or less people. Much of the workforce work in a part‐time capacity (47%) and seasonal employment is important for outdoors, caravans and playwork, which attract students and other temporary workers.

The UK sport and recreation industry covers the full range of sports provision from grass roots community projects through to professional sports men and women at the peak of their performance. It also incorporates the day‐to‐day running of amateur and professional sports clubs, and the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. The structure of the industry is largely determined by the nature of provision; that is, whether its operators are publicly funded, private, not‐for‐profit, or charitable/voluntary organisations. Sport and recreation includes a variety of types of organisations, with a range of funding channels or support, ranging from commercial sports with large facilities to smaller sport clubs running on a charitable basis.

London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has put the UK’s sporting provision (both competitive and recreational) in the spotlight. The industry will play an essential role in ensuring that the delivery of the Games is effective and that the nation benefits from a lasting Olympic legacy.

Key facts:

There are 371,800 people working in the sport and recreation industry, together with a significant number of volunteers.
41% of the workforce is employed full‐time, 48% part‐time and 11% self‐employed.
Around 32% of the workforce is aged 16‐24 year olds; this is higher than the 14% recorded across the UK workforce as a whole.
25% of the adult population in England are members of club where they take part in sport (10 million people).
17.5% of the adult population in England received tuition to improve their performance in sport during 2007/08.
Over 6 million adults participated in organised competitive sport in 20087/09.
There are over 1,177,000 regularly practicing coaches in the UK.

Jobs in the industry include: sports development officer, community sports development officer, club/coach development officer, activity team leader, professional athlete, sports physiotherapist, team doctor, strength and conditioning coach, coach educators, psychologist, biomechanist, masseur, dietician, nutritionist, coach, official (club, county, regional, national, international), recreation/leisure assistant, sports/leisure manager, events manager, volunteer co‐ordinator, groundskeepers, stewards.

National and regional data

East Midlands – There are 44,300 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 27,200 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region has a strong sports infrastructure. It hosts a number of world class facilities including: the National Ice Centre; the National Water Sports Centre; the National Cricket Academy; the Nottinghamshire Tennis Centre; golf courses, such as Belton Woods, and the National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa; and racecourses at Nottingham, Leicester, Southwell, Market Rasen and Towcester, with Burleigh House hosting the annual International Horse Trials. There are also a range of professional sports club located in the region. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; and child protection.

East of England – There are 61,400 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 36,800 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region has a broad and exciting sporting heritage hosting a number of sporting and recreational facilities, including: football stadiums in Ipswich and Norwich; British horseracing headquarters; Snetterton racing circuit; Norfolk Broads; and Grafham Water sailing centre.

London – There are 70,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 45,200 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. London has a rich mix of active leisure and learning facilities, high profile sporting clubs and venues and hosts a wide range of international, national, regional and local events. The most important forthcoming sporting event for the region is the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which is expected to bring a number of long term benefits to the region, including substantial investment and development in the sporting infrastructure in London. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; initiative; first aid; child protection; project management; and working with people with disabilities.

North East – There are 24,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 14,900 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region is home to a number of high profile sporting clubs including: Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middleborough football clubs; Durham County Cricket Team; Rugby Union Newcastle Falcons team; and the Newcastle Vipers ice hockey team. The North East has 20 facilities listed in the London 2012 Pre‐Games Training Camps Guide and 4 universities providing sports provision recognised in the 2012 Training Camps Guide. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; first aid; team‐working; health and safety; working with disabled people; child protection; and initiative.

North West – There are 65,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 38,300 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region has a rich sports infrastructure. It is home to: a number of professional football teams; a county cricket club and a test match venue in Lancashire; SuperLeague rugby clubs; a number of first class golf courses; the world’s biggest horse race (the Grand National at Aintree); and other race courses at Haydock, Chester, Carlisle and Cartmel. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; initiative; team‐working; planning and preparing work; child protection; and first aid.

South East – There are 96,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 62,300 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region hosts a range of high profile sporting venues and events, including: Eton Dorney; National Hockey Centre; Brands Hatch; and Cowes. A high percentage of English athletes funded under the world class programmes are based in the South East. Two of the nine UK Sports Institutes are based in the region at Bisham Abbey and Bisley. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; child protection; communication; management; and planning and preparing work.

South West – There are 53,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 28,100 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region is host to a number of high profile sporting events and venues including: Cheltenham Gold Cup; Badminton Horse Trials; European surfing at Newquay; sailing at Weymouth; and World Half Marathon in Bristol. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; planning and preparing work; initiative; project management; and problem solving.

West Midlands – There are 48,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 28,600 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region hosts a range of high‐profile sporting venues, clubs and events, including: The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, which has staged over 40 major international sporting events since it opened in 1991; several football Premiership/Championship Clubs; high‐profile professional clubs in rugby and basketball; successful cricket, hockey and athletics clubs; the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall, which is part of the English Institute of Sport (EIS); the Belfry, a world‐class golf course; Warwickshire County Cricket Ground in Edgbaston; a regional indoor training centre at Worcester Rugby Club; and a number of racecourses. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; initiative; and planning and preparing work.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 51,900 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 29,900 are employed in the sport and recreation industry. The region has a strong sporting infrastructure and is home to a cluster of sports science, technology, medicine and economics research and development units. The region is home to a range of professional sports clubs and 11 venues feature in the London 2012 Pre‐Games Training Camp Guide. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; child protection; initiative; and management.

Northern Ireland – There are 10,738 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 8,100 are employed in the sport and recreation industry.

Scotland – There are 58,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 36,800 are employed in the sport and recreation industry.

Wales – There are 29,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 15,600 are employed in the sport and recreation industry.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry (GB), 2007, Northern Ireland Annual Business Inquiry, 2005 and Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]