Trotter Training to Become Referee
Friday, 27th Sep 2024 10:00

Former Town midfielder Liam Trotter is training to become a referee through the PFA and PGMOL’s Player to Match Official Programme.

Ipswich-born Trotter, 36, came through the Town academy and was a member of the U18s side which won the FA Youth Cup in 2005.

He went on to make 18 senior starts and eight sub appearances for the Blues, scoring two goals, before moving on to Millwall, where he had previously been on loan, in 2010.

Trotter called time on a career which had taken him to clubs across the EFL as well as Orange County in the US, following spells in the National League with Bromley and Chelmsford in the summer of 2023.

The Player to Match Official Programme is a new venture offering training, education and development to former players interested in taking up refereeing with the PGMOL providing expert coaching. Trotter is among the first to take up the opportunity.

“It’s really, really interesting. I was always aware that refereeing football is a completely different game,” he said.

“So may different decisions to be made, so many different challenges and I think I can definitely see that in the future there are going to be things that I will find difficult but it’s also having that self-belief and confidence that I can get better and improve.”

Photo: Action Images

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Cakeman added 10:55 - Sep 27 That’s good. The game needs some fresh referees with a professional football background. Cricket has done well by training ex-professionals as Umpires. Liam will do well I believe. He always struck me as being a very level headed person. Good luck on your new venture Liam.
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Tractorog added 11:29 - Sep 27 Does anyone else find that this story just makes them feel depressingly old?
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rugbytomc added 13:00 - Sep 27 Great move. He was always laid back so I’d say he’ll cope well with the modern day whingy footballers. Not sure why more ex players don’t become refs? All too wealthy?
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Jugsy added 13:20 - Sep 27

A better pathway for players to become refs should be encouraged, it would close the gap on the way players and fans treat referees and likely lead to better game management and decisions. This move by Liam is awesome and good luck to him.

@rugbytomc, certainly don't think it's about players being too wealthy - that's only a small spectrum of professional players. More likely that refereeing is highly unattractive due to the abuse and criticism they receive (like you mention, 'whingy footballers'). I know some refs and the issues they face is scary... it should be as enjoyable for them as it is to be a player.

TractorfactorSteve added 16:06 - Sep 27 From my own experience, though at VERY grassroots level, it's the next best thing to playing. I hope he succeeds.
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