CULTURE OF BLAME
Metrolink Mascot
Nine-year-old Emily Blackhurst’s Christmas came early as she was chosen to become an Oldham Athletic FA Cup mascot.
Working in conjunction with our official travel partner, Manchester County FA and Metrolink combined to offer Emily this exciting opportunity following her selection from hundreds of fellow young Latics fans
An Oldham supporter since the tender age of six, Emily was given the opportunity to meet and greet the players before walking them and opponents Mansfield Town out on to the pitch prior to kick-off.
Royton-born Emily, who plays for Failsworth Villa Under-10s, described the experience as the best of her life.
“I try to go to every home game with my dad,” she said. “He has been a fan for the last 24 years.
“I have bought all the Oldham Athletic kits for the last three
years with my own pocket
money and I like to wear my kit when I train for my football team, Failsworth Villa Girls.
“This was by far the best day of my life, especially getting all the players autographs and posing in photographs with them. What a day to remember, thank you Metrolink.”
MCFA Chief Executive Colin Bridgford was on hand to personally introduce Emily to all her favourite players and he was thrilled that she enjoyed the experience so much.
“For fans like Emily, such
opportunities are likely to only come around once in a lifetime,” he said. “So we and Metrolink are delighted to have offered her
the chance to meet all of her favourite players.
“To combine with Metrolink in this way indicates what a fantastic role they play as official partners of grassroots football here in Manchester and they couldn’t have selected a more deserving winner.
“It’s great to have given Emily such a brilliant early present and we hope she enjoys the rest of her Christmas.”
Referees make mistakes. It’s a simple fact of football.
Yet as stories continue to be written regarding the honest mistakes of match officials, the quality of football is being overshadowed. This isn’t another call to arms about behaviour on the sidelines or the development of our referees, but more a plea for some perspective. Earlier this season, Hugo Lloris’ honest mistake gifted City their opening goal in a six-goal rout of Tottenham, but the headlines weren’t stolen away from the exceptional performances of Sergio Aguero and co.
Accepting then that referee decisions only change games as much as a player’s mistake , why do we lose sight of our
clubs’ and players’ performances to scrutinise such honest mistakes that by definition are nothing to do with a referee’s ability.
The professional game may one day see a move towards technology that will aid referees in their decision-making, but we know that it’s impossible for this to filter down to our local parks. It may be time then to not only acknowledge that referees make honest mistakes but to accept them. After all, on a grassroots match day the laws of the game can only be applied to the extent that the referee sees and interprets an incident. That might not necessarily be ideal, but it is a fact.
MANCHESTER C.F.A.
NEWS