I WISH to bring to your attention a situation which weekly puts young boys from the age of about ten and upwards in danger. I am referring to our much-loved national sport, football.

For the past three years I have stood in all weathers proudly watching my son and his mates play in various leagues run in this area. Sometimes they win, sometimes they lose, really it doesn't matter, it's a thoroughly enjoyable and commendable activity which I encourage all lads of this age to consider. Or rather, I would have, until now.

We all love to loathe a referee's bad decisions, we all hold our hearts in our mouths when we see two lads hurtling towards each other, racing to win the ball.

But how would you feel if your lad received the heavy end of a particularly nasty tackle? Hurt, concerned for his safety and wanting to attend to him, I expect would be your answer. However, step onto the pitch and the referee will order you away. Now, I'm not talking about the odd knock or fall here, I mean suspected broken bones. So you persist with the referee because your paternal instinct is stronger than written rules in a book. Remember this is junior football, watched by mothers and fathers, not Premier League.

For this action you can expect abuse from the referee and abandonment of the match. Just what sort of concern does a referee show that walks away from a 12-year-old boy screaming in agony awaiting the ambulance?

We parents have to entrust the safety of our children to referees, remember they're still only boys. Ater three years of seeing poor standards of refereeing, I think it's about time those responsible for training and selecting referees took a good long look back at how it's progressing.

Many managers I've spoken to feel it's a total waste of time reporting a ref because no matter how bad he or she is no proper investigation takes place - it's simply the word of the ref versus everyone else. The referee always wins. Yet does a ref have to attain a certain standard to qualify? Is he or she trained in rudimentary first aid? Does he or she receive any training at all? It doesn't seem so.

As long as poor standards of refereeing continue, hundreds of lads every week risk their safety. How long before the situation worsens? Broken bones this week, what next week?

Concerned parent (name and address supplied) via e-mail.

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