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Managers have complained about the way referees have had to carry out their duties, our own manager Stan Ternent has been vocal on numerous occasions, and they have been joined by television pundits and more recently referees themselves.
The situation had reached breaking point with game after game ruined by unnecessary sendings off and clubs already facing major problems as suspensions mount because of the number of yellow cards being handed out.
There have been major issues recently and Chris Kamara highlighted one injustice a few weeks ago when a player was wrongly sent off in a Nationwide League game. He contacted Don who shrugged it off with a ‘Nothing can be done’ response.
And then we have had the farce of the penalty retakes after referees were given instructions to be vigilant with goalkeepers moving off the line. Recently a penalty had to be taken three times and there has been more than one occasion when a retake has been ordered with the keeper with just one foot inches from the line.
Too often referees and their performances are dominating after match discussions by everyone alike with some of these referees now claiming that they have no options because of Don’s approach.
So yesterday’s statement from the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) that Don was on his way was met with approval and great relief in many quarters. Their statement read:
"In an effort to continuously improve the performance of match officials, the PGMOL Board has decided to appoint a General Manager to oversee the entire work of the company.
"As a result the role of the Select Group Manager – currently performed by Philip Don – will be redundant and therefore Philip will leave the company shortly.
"Meanwhile the Board has asked Keith Hackett to perform the duties necessary in order for the transition period to be managed effectively".