Go to 5 a side details

4th October
Mid Sussex guest speaker Mr Jack Pearce

Jack a Portsmouth lad, almost lived the dream of playing professional football for his home town club. But released by Pompey as a young apprentice, Jack made his way into non league football. Toward the end of his playing career and whilst there were playing contracts still on offer, Jack took the opportunity of rescuing Bognor Regis and became their manager in 1976. He had just 8 games to lift them off the bottom rung of the Southern League where they would face applying for re-election. He achieved that on the last day of the season with a late equaliser. The chairman promised him no money for players and no money for himself. Jack ponders, "It was one of the few true statements ever to come from a chairman". Eat your heart out Alex Ferguson, Jack's been manager there now for 31 years. Some achievement.

Now also an FA Councillor the Football Association can now reap the benefit of Jack's experience.

Jack Pearce on the modern game. "Players today don't have the loyalty of old, I've had players who have made over 900 appearances, today if they don't get paid they'd be off. I don't blame 'em it's the modern world.

Players today are fitter, I think the pitch should be made 20 yards longer and 10 yards wider but of course that would be impossible". Though he thought the person who came up with 11 v 11 got it right, he points out, "Ironically the best football is played when a game ends 10 v 10, not 10 v 11 I don't like that. I have put forward this crazy idea that to eliminate the penalty shoot out extra time should start with a player removed from both sides. If scores remain level after another ten minutes take it down to 9 v 9. There is sure to be goals then. I hate the penalty shoot out, it's crazy that all the pressure goes on the poor guy that misses. Sadly everyone thinks it's a crazy idea"

Jack on administrators, "90% of the great work they do doesn't get reported 10% of the work which isn't good gets the headlines". Jack went on to explain how he felt that those involved in football at the higher end of the professional game were not always as professional as those in the national game. "The money men come into football at the top but they often do not have the football knowledge as those at levels below who have a passion for the game"

Jack on foreign players, "I prefered it when players in the English game were either English or Scottish (sec what about the Welsh and the Irish, Jack?).

Jack on feigning injury, "In my day if your were kicked you'd pretend you weren't hurt, today you'd see them rolling around play acting" He the commented about the events at Celtic Park the previous evening where the AC Milan keeper was "knocked" to the floor by a spectator "He (Dida) was a disgrace, he should take a ban" referring to an incident where Dida who proceeded to briefly give chase (after being touched by a spectator) before collapsing to the ground.

Jack on skill, "I love to be excited by people who can dribble and beat a player" he recalled an incident where George Best had played against Southampton and gave the Southampton centre half John Mcgrath a torrid time. Best ended up teasing him by flicking the ball up in the air towards Mcgrath who caught it. Jack recalled, "It was the only way he (Mcgrath) would touch the ball, on realising he had been made to look a fool by Best he proceeded to throw the ball at the ground in anger".

Jack on referees, "I recently attended a game when a young referee had handed out 15 yellow cards", Jack recalled witnessing the assessor approach the young ref and the ref said, " don't mind if I ruined the game so long as you give me a good mark".
I like to see fit referees, it shows respect to the level of the game. He recognises that all players aren't angels but recalled an amusing retort from his captain one afternoon when the referee asked him, who is refereeing this game me or you"? His captain replied, "neither of us at the moment!"  What Jack really hates though became apparent, “I hate the mandatory yellow card, a referee should manage each situation as it arises. People ask for consistency but you can’t have consistency and common sense they just don’t go together”.  Jack is also against video technology  and claimed he’d never had a problem with a ball over the goal line incident in 31 years. In fact he liked the controversy as it gave everyone something to talk about down the pub.  One change he would like to see though was an introduction of a blue card with a sin bin punishment.

Jack on goalkeepers, "We used to laugh at foreign goalkeepers but today they are better than ours. Yet each club employs goalkeeping coaches earning thousands of pounds per week".

Jack you entertained us for over an hour. We are all delighted you visited us and you are welcome anytime....in fact should The Rooks results not improve we have some basic referees courses about to start!

Many, many thanks from all Mid Sussex referee society members

If you wish to take part in the forthcoming 2008 annual 5 a side competition being held at the Dolphin on Sunday January 8th, please give your name to Kevin Davies as soon as possible.

Surrey & Sussex RA 5 a side 2007

On Sunday January 8th 2007, our society took part in the annual 5 a side competition. This year it was hosted by Surrey at the Woking Leisure centre.

The team surpassed all expectations and were narrowly defeated in the final by a youthful looking Woking society team. On route to the final we defeated last years winners and favourites to pick up the trophy again, Redhill & Reigate. Team members back row left to right John Flynn, Karl Luckhurst, Mark Breeding, Ryan Ellis, front Kevin Davies, Gary Strangwood,Mark Parsons & Robin Parks.