Page 32 - RAPTC Number 102 2018/19

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Cindy, my wife, Zoe, my daughter and my mum (who was a delighted late substitute for my son Jack, who had just left for a six-month deployment in Algeria). Stopping over in the Victory Services Club, we headed to the Palace in the morning. On arrival, we were put into recipients and guest areas and I waited to see what celebrities (as well as me!!) would be there. My “celeb” spotting was pretty rubbish as Kiera Knightley and Miss Dynamite walked in and I didn’t recognise either of them!! They did come and speak to a group of us (I think they recognised me!!) and they were both lovely. Prince Charles was the duty Royal for the event and he was very engaging. It was so impressive to see him get a two second brief in his ear from one of his right-hand men as each recipient approached the dais and then he initiated a conversation with each one. Considering the vast array of subjects he would have to talk about it, it was no small task. Once completed, we did the touristy things and finished with meeting up with old friends who are now Yeoman of the
Guard at the Tower of London and they gave us a starlet visit around parts of the Tower before watching the ceremony of the keys. What an experience and an honour.
I thought that was my “big days” over for the year, if not my life, but in February 2019, I was asked to be part of the officiating team at Wembley for the Carabao Cup Final between Manchester City and Chelsea. I had already had the honour of doing the FA Cup Final in 2016 so this was the one I was missing from my portfolio and I was delighted to get the call. As a refereeing team, we had been performing as well as we had ever done so was delighted to be recognised for my part in that.
Cindy came down to London with me for the weekend and we were royally looked after. Having met up on Saturday morning at the Hotel in Elstree (very nice indeed!), the guys went into Wembley for a security brief and ground familiarisation visit, leaving the girls at the hotel with a free bar tab (Not mine I might add)!! Recipe for disaster! On return, we had our evening meal and then early bed in preparation for the match the next day. Next morning, Cindy and I went for a walk and back for breakfast before preparing to go to Wembley. On arrival at the magnificent stadium, we left the girls to our hosts and we prepared for the event. I say event as I treat each game as an entertainment event. We are only part of that show (although we always look to be supporting roles and let the players do their stuff). As it turned out, we did just that. It was not an action packed, goal fest (in fact it was more like a game of chess which ended in stalemate after 90 minutes and extra time). In fact, the game will be more remembered for the Chelsea goalkeeper refusing to be substituted for his manager! Never seen it happen before and hopefully never see it again! So, the game would be decided by penalties which Manchester City won 4 – 3. From our perspective, every player shook our hands at the end of the game which, as referees, is the ultimate stamp of approval for your team performance. Then it was time to walk up the famous Wembley steps, getting praised from fans on the way up either side, which was nice, only to appear at the top to receive our medals and greeted with boos from the rest of the crowd! Oh well, that’s football for you. Afterwards we went to a lovely restaurant in Hanger Lane and partied until we dropped. What a great weekend. What next? OBE? World Cup Final? Knighthood? Sir Andy has a certain ring to it but I think a certain Scottish tennis player has a far greater chance of getting that title than me! Dreams!