Premier League Referee Phil Dowd TELLS ALL

Phil Dowd is an ex-professional Premier League referee who has officiated some of the biggest matches in the English game. He has spent 19 years at the top flight and shares all of his trials and tribulations from his long and illustrious career. His stats include taking charge of over 300 Premier League matches across 15 seasons, dishing out 1089 yellow cards and 67 red cards.
Fore Four 2 Podcast is a Podcast hosted by Ex Professional Footballer John Mcginley and Liam Harrison From GolfMates.

[@andrewwareing6419]

Brilliant. Credit to Phil for doing the interview and having to answer questions about decisions he made 25 years ago. Well done sir…

[@gavinwatters1293]

I think it was a bit much going in on him about the Bolton goal. He's a guest on the podcast, it was fair to bring up, but the tone was off and it wasn't fitting. He even rolled his eyes about three times which says alot as he was very open and transparent with his interview.

[@kenneth2656]

Excellent it was nice to listen to a referee talking about football and getting his take on the game, he seems like a genuine guy as well.

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏

[@marcusstonham]

Really really enjoyed that. Absolutely brilliant. So insightful and amazing how he could recall moments from games from years ago. Refs obviously think about bad decisions just like players and fans. Great interview 👍

[@pauljones9436]

What a cracking video. I only expected to watch 10 or 15 mins but enjoyed every minute. Phil is clearly foremost a football fan and a professional, great viewing, thanks all

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@Blue-ff2qv]

Hah! Me too! I figured I'd get four, five minutes in. I'm at 36 minutes and very much enjoying watching it.

[@neilcollier5040]

What an excellent interview and an insight into the life of a top ref. Well done Liam and John and certainly well done to Phil Dowd.

[@Kenno734]

Phil Dowd was a great Premier League ref. Always trusted his decision making. Had a firm but friendly approach

[@davidwilliams8457]

What a great interview Phil, very proud you as a local chap, it's a tough job that you did amazingly well..thanks Liam and John.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@gwendolynbutcher8340]

Great interview! Very informative and a great insight.

[@stuartwhippey6422]

Absolutely brilliant, enjoyed every minute.

[@martinskeffington8082]

Thoroughly enjoyed. Congrats Liam on a great show-,if your ever in Australia hit me up for a round of golf 👍

[@elmondo3543]

Absolutely fantastic watch!

[@iankettlewell2603]

Great interview .The insight into a referees career and what goes into being a top referee.Very honest Phil Dowd always thought he was a decent referee always had a smile on his face when needed and had a scowl for whoever deserved it. Big Thanks to Phil and John.Great can't wait for future ones.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@alanmackenzie3258]

Brilliant pod and great guest, wish Phil all the best for his future.

[@forefour2]

Thank w

[@treacadelic]

Great interview that. We always give the referees stick but it's nice to actually hear their side of things for a change. Phil comes across really well.

[@forefour2]

Nice bloke

[@waynecooper9728]

Great watching that Liam , John ,keep them coming lovely fresh viewing , more more more

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏

[@peterfender7633]

Great series, thanks and great guy Phil

[@onestonge5201]

Fantastic series guys, so enjoying them

[@andygulch8865]

What a genuinely great bloke 👏🏼

[@stephen4757]

Click on the video cuz it looked like a good watch. Never seen this channel before. But what a nice surprise I got seeing Liam from golf mates hosting this😂 awesome stuff

[@forefour2]

Absolutely hello pal

[@dalerobb6532]

Great interview chaps Phil came across very well, as a celtic man I look forward to tommo on next week 👌

[@washbrook87]

Watched the whole thing. Not normally one for podcasts but these have been ace 👌

[@forefour2]

Absolutely thank you

[@salesman61]

Appreciate the very honest interview. Great job!

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@stevenford8040]

When I saw that this video was over an hour long I thought about turning it off? But, the more I watched the better it became. What an honest guy Phil is. The interview was great from both you Liam and John. A cracking cocktail of pro footballer and amateur golfers questions. However, have you preempted the score of the next video? 🤔Brilliant! 😃

[@forefour2]

Absolutely thank you

[@wackolowbow7177]

Brilliant!!! Really enjoyed this. Can't wait for more in the series. 👍👍👍👍

[@robertnewbury5228]

Great job boys , played football my self and then refereed for 10 years,I know how difficult it is ,absolute pleasure to watch .

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@rabbitleader2307]

Great show and huge respect to Mr Dowd. Top class!

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@TB-nh4dg]

Brilliant! Really enjoyed that lads. 👏🏻

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@mikephillips4155]

What an honest interview .... I don't normally do podcasts but these are interesting and about 2 loves of mine , footy and golf. Keep up the good work.

[@gazheaton9225]

What an absolute gentleman! Phil Dowd you were super and so honest! Brilliant podcast

[@forefour2]

He was

[@gerrywray42]

Great podcast series Liam. Followed golfmates from the start and new to golf but followed soccer from late 70's. Emigrated from N Ireland to California in 2005 so really enjoy reminiscing the old days any the golf videos. Keep up the good work Liam & John.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@williamthompson2941]

Great episode.

[@gavingmp3141]

What a nice bloke with some very interesting stories! Great questions by the way and a great new formula. Didn't realise he lives just a couple of miles from where I grew up (Mow Cop) but I recognised the accent. Can't wait to see more of these podcasts! 👏

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@keithbillington8747]

Sorry reacted before seen whole interview, been through same things as kids, he says more than he says😀😎

[@Edogawa1117]

Awesome series. Well done,Phil great career.

[@tonystellafella301]

Cracking interview 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@martinkscott]

Different class lads,really enjoyed that vlog,hopefully more of the same in the pipeline 👊🏻👊🏻

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@kevinbeck6785]

Excellent pod-cast boys, Phil Dowd was a top referee

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@derekclark9646]

Brilliant lads, totally loved it. 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@stephendolan1391]

What a nice guy. Great chat, great questions. Sincere and honest. Loved every second 😊

[@jimewen9542]

Great insight into how a referee had to operate back in the day. Good on Phil for coming on.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@dannyblair5556]

Very good boys, funny to see Phil blushing when John said you did not need Var for the Everton incident.

[@forefour2]

Ha ha

[@grahamsmith1978]

What a lovely guy, wish him all the best

[@TheStevieh1]

Terrific interview.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@richieaskham3605]

Excellent interview.............

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@garethmorgan7474]

Really enjoyed the video, well done lads

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@gerrywray42]

Good to seeing John and Phil can debate and agree on a decision made, correctly or incorrectly, on a soccer game. We all need to exercise more integrity, like both of these gentlemen.

[@forefour2]

Absolutely

[@harrycross3467]

Great interview!

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@stevenbonnar3136]

Very honest gent , now seeing refs on another light not just that guy in the middle but a real honest guys, well done Liam & John superb show 👏👏👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@billymcf2935]

Liam you done us proud here ..what a series gotta hope Phil tackles Parkinsons like he took the piss outta Sir Alex with a smile on his face :)

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@kevinhasnip6170]

another great podcast

[@stevebrown8019]

Really enjoying the new Podcast. Two great guests so far. Admire Phil for answering every question honestly even the one where John is still moaning about the ball over the line incident. One bit of feedback - video is very professional and interview flows very well but the description of the content is woeful. Full of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. If you want to grow the channel you have to get everything spot on Liam. Looking forward to next Podcast.

[@forefour2]

Ok I look

[@kevinfright8195]

Great podcast Phil..nice to hear the other side

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@hebehall]

Super interview. Never realised he was a Stokie! Thanks lads.

[@forefour2]

No thank you

[@vdubber252k]

Cracking podcast, enjoyed it a lot and I don't even watch football. Just really interesting to see an insight into someone's life and career

[@charliesmithers7663]

I know big John is half joking but there is not one person in that squad manager included who can honestly they were not culpable of a mistake that cost their team something that added to relegation. It's an almagamation of all things. It's that blame someone else attitude from the football playing/management/pundit fraternity that has led us to VAR. These same individuals are now not happy with VAR. Without the refs there would be no game. What a gent Phil is. Total honesty & a brilliant interview. Happy golfing Phil. You deserve it.

[@mrques2x115]

This is the whole issue with VAR. The same idiots that complain about where the ones that demanded 'more consistency;. Consistency with a subjective decision is a myth.

[@graemescott368]

Liam that interview with phill was absolutely brilliant

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@juhapsaarela]

Fantastic peek to one of the "tougher" referees history, though couple of times cursed Phil's decisions, which were propably right anyway... Thank you Mr. Dowd.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@waynepark4430]

Great discussion gentlemen. Merry Christmas to all.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@andewlea3772]

What a brilliant interview what a fantastic concept questions and truthful answers , things again that we would never have chance or access to

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏

[@alanheseltine7959]

Great interview lads

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏

[@grahamb7925]

Liam, John great channel, Mr. Dowd, As a Villa fan please don't regret your decisions on the pitch. Football officials have the hardest Job on the pitch when you were out in the middle. Thank you for the incite to being an official.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@ianhildred1410]

Real Eye opener and fascinating listen

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@garypugh4316]

What a great insight from an honest bloke !

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@johnwhite1832]

True gentleman fantastic interview

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@deantez117]

Top interview, lovely bloke still gutted(being a Villa fan) he never sent Vidic off in that Carling Cup final! Good on you Phil keep fighting the fight against Parkinson's as my father in law suffers.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@clivemorris8252]

What a great guy, Phil is. Great podcast

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@simonlotion1223]

Class interview, really honest and very interesting. Showed the human side of football.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@xDeax]

Absolute beauty this, Phil was a great ref, proper throwback for me this one, loving the pod casts boys.

[@stephenorourke2297]

Brilliant video Liam and John and Phil wot a gentleman

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@roypiercy3415]

Brilliant interview really enjoyed it, I never knew he reffed the hanley and district league I played in that league that was when sunday league was a proper mans game 😁

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@DavidJones-ko8gp]

Really enjoyed that Liam. Great insight into the refereeing world. Who's the beep beep in the black! They must be very thick skinned or deaf

[@forefour2]

Absolutely

[@strictlycasual765]

Great podcast lads just found and subscribed already stay safe Phil great bloke

[@mikecooke2357]

Great chat that . After watching the carabao cup games last week with no VAR, I think it showed that refs/ linos get 99% of decisions correct. In my opinion VAR should be used about 12 times a season when refs have genuinely missed something, possibly through sightline being blocked off. Please no more toe nail offsides!!!!

[@barrykeville5035]

Fantastic Liam and John. Phil being open and honest magic. Never minded him coming to Spurs. Looking forward to the next one

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@arthurselbie1625]

That has to be the best video that I have watched great credit to Phil Dowd fantastic

[@forefour2]

Absolutely thank you

[@ukpolska5335]

That was so interesting and facinating insight.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@chrismason2267]

Brilliant !!

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@TheGreatApostate]

I've been an amateur league referee for a year now. Started very late so am not aiming for any heights but I'd definitely recommend anyone give it a go.

[@kevinfreeman173]

Tuned into this podcast for a quick look. Being a Canadian I had no idea who Phil was but as a sports fan I can say this was a terrific interview with a real gentleman open and honest. Great job guys I can’t wait to see more. Keep up the good work.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@craigpollock3887]

Absolutely brilliant. What an insight and what a guy. Channel is going to get bigger and bigger if this is the quality of videos you will be producing in the future

[@forefour2]

I can only hope

[@tonymather406]

Liam what honest interview Phill gave the insight what referee's go through keep them coming 👍

[@hamishbindrinkin]

what a fantastic hour that was.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@briancoll5343]

Liam, you have tapped into a brilliant formula here. I think most golfers are sports nuts, and giving us an insight into areas we are not usually privileged to makes for a really interesting podcast. Keep them coming. 👏👏

[@forefour2]

Hopefully

[@adrianridgway9315]

Very insightful great interview just subscribed 👍 respect to Phil Dowd

[@factsoverfeelings1]

Desperate for a whites shirt signed by super John if possible. Great show !!!

[@philparsonage4470]

Just brilliant 👍👍👍

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@eckyboy555]

Great video

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@TezH1994]

Always liked him as a ref boss interview

[@jwaller2557]

What a nice bloke Phil is. Loved the show

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@davidjameswhitfield2322]

Phil Dowd what a man. Yet another 5 star interview Liam and John.

[@andyhello23]

Former referees should play more of a role in media regarding football, and help the public ie the fans understand refereeing from there perspective Love hearing from the officials, before social media never heard from them, and they could never speak up for referees I think its important for fans to understand how refs thinks, and remember these people are humans like the fans, and just trying to do there job as best as they can. Shame more former referees are not involved in social media like this to explain football world from where the referees were, as they had a unique perspective, and as fans people just focus on what players do, and how managers see the game. But referees also play an important role So nice, to hear these peoples viewpoint on the game

[@mollyandcracker4951]

should have had that bloody elastic band when he sent me off all this years ago in Staffs County League......

[@wayneross8544]

What a great insight and a top lad to good luck to him in the future great pod cast thank you 😊

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏

[@PitchandPuttGolf]

Brilliant interview with Phil, proper honest bloke doing what is a very difficult job. I can remember Phil and he never took any s*it. Going to share this on twitter first thing in the morning Liam. Very well prepped interview it was also great to see John get more involved too. Honestly Liam when word gets out this format will be a winner.

[@forefour2]

Thank you 🙏 hope your ok

[@PitchandPuttGolf]

@@forefour2 getting there. Really enjoying the format.

[@paulquinn1800]

Great video John really enjoyed it still think Phil was a good referee keep the videos coming hail hail bro

[@Darwinion]

Yes refs are only really remembered for their mistakes. As a Leeds fan Ray Tinkler is well remembered for the offside goal v West Brom in 1971 (and getting KOd by the ball at West Ham where Billy Bonds had to pick up his whistle to stop the game). Other than that I didn't know Ray Tinkler existed.

[@kevinsorrell1822]

Superb more of please honest answers Mr Dowd

[@forefour2]

Absolutely

[@simmo5071]

Have the psychologist Liam have a chat with wannabe golfer Liam it could help his game. That was a brilliant video that fella was open to you guys putting salt in his wounds and he handled it with class.😊

[@CampslewTraining]

phil look very nervous, but respect for coming out and talking....

[@davidcrellin2499]

Excellent interview. Proof that refs are human too, and his owning his errors and being humble of the things he got right, shows that he's a great man.

[@forefour2]

Thank you

[@pashiki5480]

Thank god we finally have this proof that refs are human.