What Does a Football Referee Take on a Matchday (My Kit)

Something a little different for you guys! I have a couple of different things that others probably don't take with them. But most of the things I have in my Football bag are what other referees would take. Let me know if you are a referee and if you take anything different from me!
PS, I forgot to say I take a 2p Coin!!
My Equipment:
Fox40 Whistle - amzn.to/3fMaAsR
Cards - amzn.to/3dDlyhV
Flags - amzn.to/3rQ6By5
Buzzer Flags - amzn.to/3fNTafp
Nike Long Sleeve Ref Top - amzn.to/3sZrMPE
If you would like to support me then 'Buy me a beer' and gain access to extra content: www.buymeacoffee.com/robreact...
Discord: / discord
Tech I'm using:
Camera - Logitech StreamCam: amzn.to/2NlFrAN​​​​​​​​​​​​​​...
Microphone - Blue Microphones Logitech Yeti: amzn.to/3liyuwQ
#refere #footballreferee #robreferee

[@carlossanta-isabel1930]

I think you forgot to mention the coin for the coin toss. Apart from that, here in Australia I find most referee's will use runners (Joggers) on our hard grounds in Australia. I rarely use boots.

[@raidercraft1516]

Prefer shorts in most of the season for Queensland. Not too sure about the other states.

[@robspereall8203]

Hi Rob. Thank you for this video. I've just started out in refereeing and I watch this the night before every game to give me the reassurance I need that I have everything!

[@RobReacts1]

Brill! Hope your game went well

[@Robdc89]

Used to be a rugby union ref, till I got injured and had to stop, pretty much the same kit, I had a Adidas ref organiser that a good friend gave to me, and it held most of my equipment such as cards, whistles etc, I also had with me some fitness bands, which I used as part of my warm up, and a small wireless speaker, music always lightens up the other officials, so that's why i always brought it. For half time, a bottle of lucozade sport, and a small pot of fruit.

[@arkadye]

I went to a mini-tournament for the sport I play as a player/referee. Matches are ~20 minutes, so I'd alternate between refereeing games and playing them. It was pre-season, so part of the idea was to help newer referees get up to speed before the main competition began. One referee covering my game hadn't got her red & yellow cards yet so I let her borrow mine. Let me tell you: getting sent off by your own set of cards feels properly wrong. The cards betrayed me!

[@RobReacts1]

hahaha brilliant! Techniqually I dont think you actually need to show cards. But its just the done thing.

[@proffzzix9139]

As a Rugby Ref we had a shirt and socks provided by our refs association each year. usually provided by a sponsor. Always had that and at least one other shirt. and several pairs of socks and at least 2 pairs of rugby shorts (heavy duty cotton with pockets). Had the standard card and scoresheet wallet plus flags. Also in my match box would be several tie ups pencils and sharpener (I preferred to keep pencil tucked in my sock top) Several stop watches always wore 2 one which I stopped at stoppages and one a running clock. Several whistles and like you I used a finger whistle but we were always recommended to use a metal one as it had a better tone (Acme Thunderer was weapon of choice) Also carried a pair of small scissors some tape and a coin. We were always told to not only look the part on the field but also on arrival so standard was a collar and Refs Association tie with a blazer or sweater with association badge.

[@RobReacts1]

We would wear tie and shirt at Wessex level...so when you start having official linos. I wish the FA gave us free kits even every other year! I think I prefer the fox 40 as it's got a sharp tone to it. Good for a range of sounds from a quick bleep to more serious offence.

[@PropBoyGinge]

My refs kit bag. 2 pairs of boots. You never know what the ground is going to be like as not all clubs devote the same effort & money to ground care. I have more than that but it's mouldies and blades for autumn & spring, and blades or standard boots for the winter. Black socks. Like you I use Sondico as I find them more comfortable. White or Black shorts with pockets either side. 2 shirts - OSRFR, different colours. I also carry one of my Oktoberfest 7s refs shirt in case of a total colour clash. Base layers and track suit Wash kit - Shower gel, BO bash, talcum powder, towels (bath sheet & hand towel) Contact lenses - I always have a minimum of 4 pairs and hydrating eyedrops. Card wallet - YC, RC, Score Cards. Pencils as they don't run when they get wet, unlike ink. Whistles - ACME Thunderer x 2 and wrist straps. Spare studs & laces 2 watches - Casios with large displays. Notepad and pens - if you've shown cards then make a note of the circs IMMEDIATELY after the game for your online report later, other wise you'll forget a crucial detail 2 bottles of Lucozade sport 2 energy gels I think that's everything.

[@RobReacts1]

I normally turn up in my black trackies so have astros on. I would love to be able to wear different colour tops but were not allowed :( Talcum powder haha brilliant Ah yes lots of refs bring their contacts Iv just bought the Garmin Forerunner 245 which has a ref app. Shows the time going up and down like my polar but also shows your gps on the pitch!

[@PropBoyGinge]

@@RobReacts1 I usually arrive in civvies depending on the game/tournament and change on site. I also try and arrive between 90 minutes and an hour before kick off to get changed, warm up and get my head into match mode, meet the captains and do the pre-match briefing.

[@davidhough5288]

I was never one of those dictator type referees.. but I always used to have the laws of association football In my bag, and when I first started out I bought a size 4 match ball, even though it wasn't your job to supply it the amount of time there wasn't a sufficient one available and it come in handy.

[@RobReacts1]

oh my a ball! No ball no game, but they can pay me for the time! And i would just look on my phone for any laws.

[@MillsyLM]

Never had a long sleeve shirt, never wore under armour apart from an ordinary t-shirt. Small pencils one in each sock. Love a finger whistle, what it gives you is the chance for your mind to process what your eyes have seen so that you don't have a knee jerk reaction and give something you really didn't want to give.

[@sherlockazulu]

Hand warmers for the gloves on those snowy days. Sun block for the sunny days.

[@Dan-pz2cw]

Amazing! Will defo help me buy my gear ready. 😆

[@RobReacts1]

Please do ask when you get round to your ref course!

[@aarongoodlad4511]

I always take a towel and spare kit when refereeing rugby matches even when I more than one match a weekend and dirty kit bag so i know what is clean and dirty.

[@RobReacts1]

I do take a towel along with my shower gel, in the hope that the club has a reasonably clean shower :D and the deodorant for if they dont!

[@andreww4473]

I love the smell of deep heat - takes me back to my RL refereeing days!

[@RobReacts1]

Im not sure if there is a worse smell 😂

[@anthonycontreras5617]

Great Video! Have you ever used a communication system? For example three way headsets ? Thank you for the double sided tape idea for the patch I was wondering how to use one patch for many different colored jerseys, now I know!

[@lewyleedsdude]

Comms kits aren't used in England until step 1 and higher

[@retsbew8098]

I am a Referee for Kent FA. I normally take a towel incase it rains heavy so you can dry off after the game.

[@RobReacts1]

Yes that's a good one. Normally take a smaller towel as you can't trust club house showers to stay warm!

[@GarethT902]

Rob lip balm great idea ! In Rugby refs are encouraged to wear bright and distinctive colours hence why you see orange and pink a lot !.

[@RobReacts1]

I would love to wear different colour tops but we're not allowed. And lip balm in the hot weather is ideal! 🤣

[@GarethT902]

@@RobReacts1 Currently I have Orange,Yellow and Light blue. I always check the colours of the two teams and pack accordingly. Having been a Ref a while I have quite a collection of colours 😄.

[@GarethT902]

@@RobReacts1 I'd be interested in having a chat about referring in general as I believe we can learn from officials from other sports. Plus Inpart all my Rugby knowledge 😄

[@RobReacts1]

@@GarethT902 more than happy to do that. You on the discord group. If so when we're both free happy to chat ☺️

[@GarethT902]

@@RobReacts1 Yes I've signed up to the discord just now 😄

[@matthewcampbell7754]

I always take plasters for blisters as I am prone to a blister or two

[@RobReacts1]

As long as my socks are straight im luck enough to not get blisters very often!

[@GarethT902]

Top tip for any refs mini pencils IKEA. There free ! Failing that mini pens from any good bookmakers!.

[@RobReacts1]

I'm a pen fan. Need to be one with a little hook bit so they hang in my shirt pocket.

[@GarethT902]

@@RobReacts1 Rugby you tend have pockets in your shorts. I tend have my yellow card with my score card and pencil in my left. My red card in the right.

[@GarethT902]

@@RobReacts1 best piece of advice I was ever given Pencils work In the rain and snow.

[@neilgayleard3842]

It's changed a lot since my dad was a ref in the 70s 80s.

[@RobReacts1]

Yea I bet!

[@neilgayleard3842]

Yes. He had his kit, boots, flags, book / pens, watches, and a bottle of squash.

[@GarethT902]

Do you have to buy your own kit ? As a Rugby ref depending on your society you get your kit (or stash as we call it) given as bare minimum most society's give you at least a shirt.

[@RobReacts1]

Yea we buy our own. Rugby may get stuff given to them but you don't get paid to officiate (which I think is a crying shame). We get paid therefore are expected to buy our own stuff.

[@baileypearson2748]

I thought it was just me who takes Lip Balm when I'm refereeing matches. 🤣🤣

[@mickleyrailwayproductions8141]

I take trainers as well in case the ground is quite hard

[@RobReacts1]

I normally wear trainers to the game if im wearing a black tracksuit.

[@kian9982]

Nice video

[@RobReacts1]

Cheers Kian

[@andymacduff2]

Think that might be a Slazenger bag

[@duncanshore]

have you ever considered buying a comms set?

[@RobReacts1]

At my level and the level up im pretty sure we arnt allowed them. At the moment I dont do enough games with official linos.

[@mylannbergen2844]

Wich watch do you prefer?

[@RobReacts1]

I now have a Garmin 245 and that's a class above with the ref watch app

[@samirbalsjc]

spray can ?

[@Andrew_Wyllie]

What Watch do you use?

[@RobReacts1]

I was using a garmin 245

[@tompullen7056]

What watch is that first one?

[@RobReacts1]

For the life of me I cannot remember. But now I use the Garmin Forerunner 245 and have a ref app on there. But always have a cheap casio on my other arm just in case!

[@keithskelhorne3993]

Sloans Linament or Algipan! :P lol

[@RobReacts1]

Erm. Do what?!? 🤣

[@keithskelhorne3993]

@@RobReacts1 instead of deep heat :) I must remember not to comment after pizza and beers

[@utkarshrijhwani2585]

you are the refree of which league

[@RobReacts1]

County level in Hampshire, England

[@mikesummers-smith4091]

No spare pea???

[@RobReacts1]

having a pea in the whistle is a little old fashioned!

[@VnetphoneEJEASIntercom]

You also need a set of referee specific intercom.

[@RobReacts1]

Not at grassroots