National Group David Foster
After starting refereeing in 1999, in Newcastle, David was promoted to the National List of referees in 2006. he spent two years as a contributory league referee and five seasons at panel league level. In 2003 he refereed the second leg of the Conference Pay Off Final Morecambe v Dagenham & Redbridge. He has two children and hobbies include computing, digital photography and playing on his Xbox 360.
How did you get introduced into refereeing?
Through not being able to play due to injury. I loved being involved in the game & wanted to play at the highest level. I then realised that I still could be involved at a high level and put something into football. Refereeing is my contribution. !!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Apart from being involved in the professional game as a whole & becoming a national list referee, I have refereed a Conference play off semi final second leg - It went to penalties & extra time!
What is the best game you have officiated and why?
Again, it has to be the above game, Morecambe vs. Dagenham & Redbridge 2003, 3-3 after 2 legs, extra time ( would have been a "golden goal" then as well !!) It was finally settled on penalties to send Dagenham through to the Conference final.
What are your aims as a National List Referee?
To become, and STAY as successful as possible. If that means I stay a Football League Referee, then so be it, but every referee dreams of Refereeing at the highest level in this country - The Premier League. I'm "only" 42 and have at least 6 full seasons left in me. I keep myself fit, so why not???
What skills do you think you need to become a referee?
Tact, diplomacy, man management, confidence, fitness and the ability to juggle - You work, family & football!
Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
I have immense support from my future wife Angie; she tells me all the time that she is proud of what I have achieved. My mum & Dad apparently, had a great deal of extra work to do with me when I was very young & with the help of my family I have achieved my ambitions in life to become a police officer & a successful referee. I hope this doesn't come across as bigheaded, but in the last 10 years (my refereeing career span so far); I have never wanted to be as successful, at anything I've ever done, as much as wanting to be successful at being a Football Referee. I have wanted to Referee at this level for so long. Because of what happened to me when I was younger & the support from my family all those years ago has definitely been a big influence. Meeting Angie gave me that final little push & an extra step in my stride to achieve what I have wanted for years - I wish I'd met her sooner!!
In your opinion who is/was the best referee?
In my view - DAVID FOSTER!!
But if not me, then one clip of video encapsulates everything about how English referees were/are respected & that was when George Courtney was refereeing Argentina vs. Italy in the 1970's, I think. Players gathered around him, protesting. One player actually touched George. George looked at that player and he immediately threw his hands up in apology, as did the rest of the players! Having seen the way George refereed in videos, shows what an excellent Ref he was and how respected he was - and still is.
