Flynn keeps flying the flag

FLT SGT JOHN FLYNN: "We don’t have much of a break at this time of year, but I enjoy the job so it’s fine"

FOOTBALL: CHRISTMAS is a busy time for footballers throughout the divisions, but it can easily be forgotten that referees and assistants are also in demand during the festive season.

While most of us will be digging in to our turkey sandwiches, John Flynn will be running the line on Boxing Day before repeating the task just 48 hours later.

The referee’s assistant, who lived in Royton until the age of 19 and attended Our Lady’s School, has officiated in 12 top flight matches so far this term.

The December 26 game could be a Football League encounter near his South-West home, but two days later he returns to Premier League action.

Flynn, also a flight sergeant based at RAF Lyneham, said: “We don’t have much of a break at this time of year, but I enjoy the job so it’s fine.

“I was hoping one of the December games would be in the North-West so I could go back to Oldham with presents for my parents, who live near Boundary Park!

“But I haven’t had a single match in the North since the start of the campaign.

“I am just waiting to hear which games I will be involved in. I know December 28 is a Premier League fixture, but Boxing Day is likely to be closer to home.”

The New Year brings a return to FA Cup duty for Flynn, who had the honour of assisting Chris Foy in last season’s final at Wembley, where he met Prince William.

Third-round ties have been penned in for the second weekend of next month, and while Flynn doesn’t expect to get the nod for Manchester United v Liverpool, he is still excited about officiating in the competition.

“Everyone loves the third round of the FA Cup and I am no exception,” he added.

“There is a certain magic to it. The third round has so much history, with giant-killings, twists and turns over the years.

“I don’t think I will be chosen for the big one at Old Trafford, but there are many appealing ties.

“There are a couple to look forward to before then.

“I will be running the line at a Football League game on New Year’s Day, and on January 4 I will be doing either Bristol Rovers v Plymouth, or Cardiff v Leeds.

“I don’t mind which of those fixtures I am given. As I am based in the South-West I have been to Rovers a number of times, and it is always a good atmosphere.

“Cardiff against Leeds is one of the biggest matches in the Championship, and the reverse fixture a couple of months ago brought five goals.”



::AFTER an admittedly shaky start to the current campaign, assistant referee John Flynn is pleased with his performances.
He said: “I got a decision wrong on the opening day of the season.

“Aston Villa were playing West Ham, and Villa’s first goal, scored by Stewart Downing, was offside but I failed to spot it.

“He had been on the ground, but then got up and a second later he had stuck the ball in the net.

“When I watched the replay it was a mile offside, by which point it was obviously too late for me to do anything about it.

“My personal pride was hurt. Luckily things have gone smoothly since then, so I have my fingers crossed that I got it out of my system early on.

“It was only the second time in nine years that I had made such a mistake, and the first time was so long ago, I can’t even remember where it happened.”

Premier League mainstay Flynn also plays his part at the other end of the football pyramid.

The recent icy snap saw him head to local side Chippenham Town, of the Zamaretto League Premier Division, after he accepted the club’s request for him to inspect the pitch.

He subsequently postponed the Bluebirds’ clash with rivals Bedford after deeming the playing surface unsuitable.

“I received three calls in the same weekend, but luckily the other two were eventually inspected by the clubs themselves, which they can do under this season’s new rules.

“I was happy to go along to Chippenham to take a look, and there was no way it was safe enough to host a football match.”

Flynn and his colleagues have avoided the emergence of the now-infamous clothing accessories brought on by the cold weather.

“We certainly do not wear snoods, or any of that gear,” he said.

“We are offered a choice between short or long-sleeved shirts, and that is it.

“Being the tough Northerner that I am, it is a no-brainer. I go for short sleeves every time.

“I might live down South these days, but they haven’t softened me up yet!”