National Group Keith Hill
A Regional Referee manager for The FA 38 year old Keith has been refereeing since he was fourteen, and started in Hertfordshire. He was promoted to the National List of Assistant referees in 1994 after working on the Hertfordshire Senior and Southern Leagues. He served for a further three seasons as a SG assistant referee before being promoted to the Referees List in 1998. His career appointments include refereeing a semi- final of the FA Trophy, and being appointed as 4th Official on the 2002 Game of Unity in Kabul.
How did you get introduced into refereeing?
I was ‘running the line’ for my brothers U/10 team… none of the Dad’s would do it… & one day a referee asked me if I had thought of becoming a referee. I said I didn’t know how to – three weeks later I was on a course that was running locally. I qualified in March 1984 – aged 15 – and started refereeing on the local Youth League & progressed from there.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
To represent your Country is an honour that cannot be surpassed & each time it fills you with immense pride. My first overseas trip as an assistant referee was a very special moment… it was an U/18 UEFA Championship Qualifying game between Portugal & Germany in The Azores in November 1996. It was a great game, a beautiful location & a fantastic feeling of achievement. It is still a special game that I will always remember. In addition, going out to Kabul, Afghanistan in Feb 2002 for the Game of Unity as 4th Official was a highlight too. It was shortly after the fall of the Taliban following the war after the 9/11 attacks in 2001. To go in there for this match was a real honour… seeing football being played again without fear was remarkable. It was an inspiring trip that I often think back to… with joy & sometimes tears.
What is the best game you have officiated and why?
It is difficult to pick ‘best game’ as there have been quite a few great games that I have had the chance to be involved in. As an assistant referee on the FA Premier Lge, the best game I was involved with was a London derby between West Ham Utd & Tottenham Hotspur in Feb 1997 on a cold, wet & windy Monday night. It was a live game on Sky TV. The game was in doubt because of the weather but it went ahead & it was great that it did. The game swung one way, and then the other… it was such an exciting game! West Ham Utd ran out 4-3 winners in what many hailed as the best game that season… it was amazing!
What are your aims as a National List Referee?
Short term… to have a successful season on The National List & hopefully be involved in the Play-Offs and/or FA Finals. Longer term… to strive to reach The Select List & referee regularly in The FA Premier League.
What skills do you think you need to become a referee?
Firstly you need to love football… it is the first reason everyone is there on match days, including referees; you have to have a desire to be involved in the game; understand players & there hopes/aims; be fair minded & positive in your attitude; be willing to learn from others & take on board advice when it’s offered; enjoy physical activity; be keen to do a good job. In my job at The Football Association as a Regional Manager for Refereeing, we are always looking to encourage the next group of referees into the game… it is a great way of being involved & could one day, for some, lead to a career in football. Even if this isn’t one’s aim, it is still a great pastime.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
When I started refereeing, my mother & father were very supportive of me no one was prouder then them when I was appointed to The National List as an assistant referee in 1994, the FA Premier League as an assistant after that & then The National List as a referee in 1998. They were fantastic. Within refereeing, the biggest influence has been my close friend Graham Poll. He was a member of my Referee Society in North Herts. when I began refereeing & he has always been there to assist me in my progression… along with his father Jim (Jim actually took me for my refereeing exam when I first qualified as a referee!). I have always trusted in his opinion & advice… especially when I haven’t been comfortable hearing it!
In your opinion who is/was the best referee?
In my opinion it was George Courtney. He refereed with a calm poise that exuded class on the field of play which players always trusted in and respected. I was fortunate to be 4th Official for George on two occasions in the early 1990’s… both times at White Hart Lane… as his career came to a close after two World Cup appearances in 1986 & 1990 and it was an honour to do the games with him and see at close hand his style as a referee. It taught me a great deal.
