New Referee Shirt 2017 1

Online Referee Club Shop Launched

SUFFOLK referees now have their own online personalised Referee Club Shop.

Officials in the county will be able to purchase products from Total Football including the new Berry shirts which will be in use for the first time next season.

Following consultation with The Football Association and Suffolk FA Board of Directors, referees have been given permission to wear non-black shirts in competitions which Suffolk FA organises and/or sanctions from season 2017-18.

Match officials must follow the below guidelines:

 

  • The chosen colour for non-black shirts will be BERRY for the 2017-18 season. Referees are not to wear alternative colours other than BLACK or BERRY

     
  • When officiating in competitions with neutral assistant referees, all officials must be in the same colour BERRY or BLACK otherwise they must revert back to wearing BLACK attire.

  • Match officials can only wear the BERRY shirt IF the league sanctions it.


Suffolk FA have entered a partnership with Total Football, enabling referees are able to access their own personalised referee shop online or in store in Ipswich. Items will include referee kit and the berry coloured shirt along with the 2017-18 training wear.

Suffolk FA Referee Development Officer Mary Harmer said: “In March, match officials had the opportunity to participate in a poll to nominate their preferred colour. 

“It was important to Suffolk FA that referees had a voice and were included within this decision making process. We received an overwhelming 190 responses to our survey and the results were very close.

“By choosing one colour, we eliminate any potential referee coloured-shirt clashes. Clear guidelines have been produced and will be communicated to all match officials and leagues. 

“These guidelines can also be found below. Referees are reminded that the use of coloured shirts is an option and not compulsory and can only be worn if the league sanction the use of coloured shirts. A list of these leagues who will allow referees to wear coloured shirts will be communicated in due course.”

Alongside the referee registration window opening on April 28th, match officials who registered before the end of May entered a ballot to receive a free coloured kit.

Robert Bareham, a Level 5 Referee from Chelmondiston near Ipswich, was chosen as the lucky recipient and is pictured above with Mary Harmer (left) shop owner Karen Cornforth (right) outside Total Football. 

Referee Registration for the 2017-18 season closes on Friday, June 30th and referees are reminded to complete this online if they are yet to do so.

Mary Harmer continued: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Total Football by launching our first Suffolk FA Referee Shop. 

“We encourage our referees to take advantage of the discounted prices Total Football has kindly provided. With the addition of the online shop, referees can now access these products via their website www.totalfootballdirect.co.uk or visit them in store.”

Total Football owner Karen Cornforth said: “We discussed with Mary the potential for a bespoke Referee Club Shop for all of the officials as part of our partnership with Suffolk FA.

“We are delighted to be able to launch the new Suffolk FA Referee Club Shop and have coincided this with the launch of our new website. 

“The Club Shop will allow all referees to purchase the new Berry coloured Shirt along with the traditional Black kit and a range of other Nike tracksuit and training top items.”

If you have any questions regarding the use of coloured shirts, please contact Mary Harmer, Referee Development Officer on 01449 776310 or via  Mary.Harmer@SuffolkFA.com

Related News

View All