02/10/2026
🔴⚪️⚽ FA PLAY SAFE WEEKEND | MEET JOSEPH ⚽🔴⚪️
This weekend is FA Play Safe Weekend, so we’re shining a light on something football simply couldn’t function without — our referees. 👏
And at Grimsby Borough Junior FC, we’re particularly proud to have young players who are willing to see the game from the other side of the whistle.
Meet Joseph. 👋
Joseph has been part of Grimsby Borough since he was an U7 and is now playing for our U15 Warriors. But alongside playing, Joseph has recently started refereeing too.
Why did he give it a go?
“Something I wanted to do.”
And when asked why he decided to referee while still playing football, his answer was equally simple:
“I wasn’t ready to quit.”
Joseph refereed his first match at 14, and one of the things he enjoys most is learning something new.
“It’s a new perspective to football.”
He’s even refereed his two younger brothers. When asked whether refereeing his brothers or his own team is harder, Joseph had his answer ready:
“My brothers, as they give me stick when I’m at home.” 😂
But behind the laughs, Joseph admits there have been challenges. The hardest part so far?
“Getting Nervous.”
And that’s something his mum, Hayley, has seen first-hand.
Hayley said:
“He’ll kill me for this, but he was super anxious about it when he started. He still is when taking on a new age or a new group, like girls, but once he’s done it, he’s fine. His confidence in himself has grown.”
That experience has also given Joseph an insight that he perhaps wouldn't have had purely as a player:
“The referee feels nervous about games too.”
♥️ And that’s exactly why understanding, support and patience matter.
Young referees are learning too.
They will make mistakes, just as young players do. Constructive feedback can help them improve — but criticism that puts them down helps nobody.
Hayley reflected from hers and Joseph experience
“Definitely understanding, support and patience while they’re learning. Constructive criticism is always good, helping them improve and not putting them down.”
She was initially apprehensive about Joseph taking up refereeing, but has been delighted with how it has gone so far.
“I’d recommend children to do it. It’s a great way for them to earn a wage while being engaged in something they enjoy.”
And, of course, there is one very important benefit of getting paid to referee…
Apparently Joseph’s wages are mostly going on KFC. 🍗😂
Joseph wants to continue refereeing and gain more experience, describing it as a chance to see football from a completely different perspective.
His advice to other young footballers thinking about giving it a go?
“It’s something different from playing and you get a whole new perspective of the game.”👏
So this Play Safe Weekend, let’s remember that every referee has a journey too.
Some are experienced. Some are just starting out. Some might be nervous before a game.
But they all deserve respect, support and the opportunity to learn.
And who knows — the next young referee could be another Grimsby Borough Junior FC player. ♥️⚽
Lincolnshire Football Association Crofts Estate Agents Youth Football League - Grimsby
