I was really happy to be given an appointment to act as Assistant Referee at the Chelsea FC Academy this weekend. I have helped out in Academy games before at Aldershot Town and Fulham and had heard good things about the Chelsea set-up.
The facilities at their training base in Cobham are certainly impressive. The pitch was exquisite and a privilege to be working on!
The game itself (versus Colchester United) was fun as the talent level of the players was naturally very high. Lots of quality passing play before fast attacking sprints. My legs got a great work-out! The only downside was that it was pouring down with rain for the entire 90 minutes so I was doing a great impression of a drowned rat at the end of it.
Particularly impressive was the discipline and sportsmanship of the players. Both academies involved are clearly coaching their players in the right way. In some ways, the game was nearly refereeing itself which is a great sign of strong discipline.
I have another appointment there soon which I am looking forward to!