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Tag: Referee Trust

  • Weekly Update 27/02/26

    Weekly Update 27/02/26

    It’s been a much better week weather wise and the sun has appeared on frequent occasions, so here is hoping for plenty of football! Hard to believe February is coming to an end. 

    The Izusu FA Vase Quarter Final tie between Hallen and West Didsbury & Chorlton takes place on Saturday atHallen. West Didsbury & Chorlton ply their trade in The North West Counties Football League Premier Divisionand are currently in 6th place, but well placed for a play-off spot. The club was founded in 1908 and is based in Chorlton which is just outside Manchester. All our hopes are firmly pinned on Hallen to make it through to the Semi-Finals. 

    In the UHL Premier Division last Saturday, we had a pretty much full program with only the Slimbridge v Corsham Town game falling to the weather. Worcester Raiderscontinued their climb up the table and took over 2nd place with a hard fought 2-1 away win v Cirencester Town. Raider’s winner came in the 97th minute.  Tuffley Roverswon their 3rd game in a row with a narrow 1-0 home win v Westfields. Mangotsfield United made the relatively short trip across Bristol to play Cribbs and won 1-0 with an 84th minute goal. Fairford Town and Cinderford Town’s recent revivals in form ended on Saturday with Fairford losing 2-0 away to Lydney Town and Cinderford losing 2-1 away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town. Hereford Pegasus lost 3-1 at home to Thornbury Town and Longlevens lost 2-0 away to Highworth Town. Hallen (with games in hand on teams around them) had a good 3-0 away win v Pershore Town to enhance their hopes of beating the drop. On Tuesday night we had Slimbridge v Worcester Raiders, with Raiders continuing their fantastic form, winning 1-0 and taking over 1st place in the table. Cribbs are a little marooned at the bottom of the table at present and it’s quite tight between the bottom 5. At the top, it’s ultra-competitive with the top spot and play-off places being fiercely contested. 

    In the UHL Challenge Cup on Tuesday, Droitwich Spahosted Fairford Town and duly won the game 5-2 to set up a semi-final tie away v Slimbridge. 

    In UHL Division One on Saturday, we also had a pretty full program of league games played. FC Stratford continued in 1st place with a tricky visit to 5th placed Newent Town. They came away with a 2-0 win. Wantage Town hosted Carterton and won the 5-goal thriller 3-2 to maintain 2ndplace. With Bewdley Town not in action, Stonehouse Town closed the gap with a 4-1 away win v Thame United Reserves. Cheltenham Saracens continued their impressive season with a 2-1 home win v Woodford United. Brimscombe & Thrupp v Redditch Boroughended 0-0, Shortwood United won 1-0 at home v Wellington, Ludlow Town travelled to Clanfield 85 and a Ramzi Killicaslan hattrick saw them travel home with a 3-2 win. Alcester Town v Malmesbury Victoria was postponed. In mid-week, FC Stratford had a very impressive 7-1-win v Woodford United with Toby Nichollscoring 4 of the goals. Bewdley Town travelled to Alcester Town and won 1-0 and Cheltenham Saracens hosted Redditch Borough and won 2-0. It is still really close at the top of the table and there is sure to be some movement at the bottom. 

    In the UHL Supplementary Challenge Cup Banbury United Dev v Chipping Sodbury Town ended 3-2, with both of Chipping Sodbury’s goals coming in stoppage time. Mohammed Gaye scored a hattrick for Banbury.  

    In the Batemans Sports Alliance Challenge Cup, UDA Glos Dev won 4-0 v Newent Town Dev. 

    In the Alliance East there was one game on Friday eveningwhich saw Hungerford Town Res beat Eversley & California Res 6-0 and one game on Saturday which saw Marlow Res v Headington Amateurs end 2-2. In midweek, Easington Sports Dev won 8-0 v Eversley & California Res. 

    In the Vets Premier we had wins for Faringdon Town Vets, Didcot Town Old Boys Vets and Penn & Tyler Green Vets. 

    In the Vets Division One, we had wins for Witney Royals Vets, Bicester Town vets and Holyport Vets.

     Fingers crossed on the weather front,

    Regards,

  • 👏 LEGENDARY MILESTONE ALERT 👏

    👏 LEGENDARY MILESTONE ALERT 👏

    Today, the Hellenic League celebrates an incredible achievement as Darren McMillan and Graham Pugh marked their 50th game officiating together – a true milestone for one of the league’s most iconic partnerships.

    Now, does the league officially know if this is some kind of record? Probably not. Records for this sort of thing simply aren’t kept. But let’s be honest — as assistant referees, virtually every club in the league knows exactly who this pair are. When “McMillan & Pugh” appear on the team sheet, it’s instantly recognisable. And for that reason alone, we felt it only right to stop, take notice, and show our appreciation for the invaluable and often unseen work they do week in, week out.

    Affectionately known as the “Ant and Dec” of the Hellenic League, this legendary duo first teamed up back in September 2020 at Brimscombe. What started as a single appointment has grown into something truly special. Between them, Darren and Graham have now officially officiated over 200 games for the league, with the last two seasons seeing them operate almost exclusively as a pair – building chemistry, trust, and a reputation that precedes them wherever they go.

    Their 50th game together, fittingly completed today at Mangotsfield vs Fairford, is a testament not only to their commitment, but to the standard, consistency, and reliability they bring every single matchday. Graham said “it’s a magic day, it’s great to not only have the game but also be with my mate and of course my favourite referee!”

    Of course, no appreciation post would be complete without mentioning Graham Pugh’s permanently smiling face – a smile so constant it’s widely believed he sleeps with it on 😄. Win, lose, rain, hail or sideways wind… the smile never leaves. Meanwhile, Darren balances things out perfectly, creating a partnership built on mutual respect, unwavering support, and a not-so-secret love for each other that would make even the strongest bromance proud.

    They’re also well known (and occasionally feared) for the harmless tricks they play on referees they work with — always pre- or post-match, never during (professionalism first… mischief later). If you’ve worked with them and haven’t been caught out at least once, you’re probably still waiting for it.

    Darren and Graham embody everything that’s great about officiating in the Hellenic League: teamwork, humour, dedication, and selfless commitment. Their contribution may not sit in a record book, but it certainly sits firmly in the respect of clubs, referees, and administrators alike.

    Here’s to 50 games together, countless smiles, and many more touchlines shared.

    Congratulations, Ant & Dec — and thank you for everything you do for the league 👏⚽

    All Images Credit of Pete Kinsella