Select Group Mike Jones
Thirty eight years old, Mike is another referee who started at 15, and is now on his fifteenth season on the National List, four as an assistant and eleven as referee. He was appointed to the 2004 Carling Cup Final as 4th Official and his senior refereeing appointments include 1997 Conference League Cup Final, 2005 FA Women’s Cup Final, and in 2007 The FL Division Two Play Off Final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town at Wembley.
How did you get introduced into refereeing?
I was first introduced to Refereeing when I was at school. The main reason for this was that I was always 6/7 sub and either I only played the final 5 minutes or I never got a game. By taking up Refereeing this meant that I was involved in the whole game.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
My highlight to date has been to Referee the 2007 League 2 play off final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town at the new Wembley Stadium. As a football fan it is everyone's dream to play at the national stadium, therefore to Referee there has got to be the next best thing.
What is the best game you have officiated and why?
Whilst the play off final at Wembley has been the most important game of my career to date the most best game that I refereed was an FA Cup 1st Round tie in 2000/2001 between Canvey Island and Port Vale. Canvey island took a 2-1 lead with early in the second half before Port Vale fought back to be leading 2-4 when the time added board was put up showing three minutes. In those three minutes Canvey island scored twice to force a replay. The reason that I think this is the best game that I have been involved in is that it was a typical cup tie played on the a non league ground and the result was always in doubt. The scenes when Canvey island made it 4-4 were unbelievable, it was as if they had actually won the Cup! I actually refereed the replay 10 days later at Port Vale, whilst the game was not as exciting it provide a cup upset with Canvey Island winning 1-2 after extra time to set up a local derby in the second round against Southend United.
What are your aims as a National List Referee?
My aim is to stay fit as long as possible and to continue to referee to a high standard at the highest level possible, with an ultimate ambition to to referee Premier League games on a regular basis.
What skills do you think you need to become a referee?
In my opinion the biggest skill that a national List Referee must has is high interpersonal skills to be able to manage up to 40 playing and non playing staff. This must be coupled with a calm, confident and positive decision making process supplemented by a high physical fitness level in order to make accurate calls.
Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?
The biggest influence on my Refereeing career outside the football arena has been my father. For over 24 years he watch me progress from local league to the national level, unfortunately to due his poor health he has not been able to attend matches in the last year or so. Throughout the 24 years he always offered advice and encouragement especially when games did not go as well as you would have hoped. My biggest regret is that due to his poor health he was unable to witness in person me refereeing at Wembley in May 2007.
In your opinion who is/was the best referee?
When I first started refereeing the Referee that I wanted to emulate was Joe Worrall. My reasons for this were; he wasn't the tallest of referee's similar to myself but he commanded respect from player; he appeared to be one of the fitness referees which I also try to be and he came from my local County FA of Cheshire.
