Date of birth: 10th May 1975

Referee since: April 1992

Date admitted to Scottish FA list: June 1999

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2004

What influenced you to become a referee?
My father who is also a referee

What was your first appointment as a Cat 1 referee?
East Fife v Montrose

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
As an additional assistant referee at the quarter-final of the Champions League match between Barcelona and Shakter Donesk in April 2011.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being a FIFA referee from 2009-2011

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue. which teams and where?
The 1970 Brazil World Cup team and the AC Milan team of the late 80s early 90s at the old Hampden Park in front of 140,000 people.

Who has been the best player you have been on the park with?
Either Messi or Ronaldo. I think Messi would just sneak it!

What is the best thing about being a referee?
To be able to be part of the game and sharing it with some fantastic players.

Do you have any hobbies?
With a young daughter keeping me on my toes it’s hard to do much more.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Chris Boyle was bad, but currently there no one that stands out, but that could change.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Easy one here, Davie Somers hands down.

Which referee has the worst banter?
Brian Winter has the both the worst and best banter. After sharing a room with him at the referees’ winter training camp in 2011, I don't think I'll sleep the same again! There are too many stories to recall but when in his company they just seem to flow at an alarming rate!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
I received a phone call on my mobile from Andy Tait who was going on his first trip as my assistant referee for an under-21 game between Switzerland and Turkey. Andy said that he was at Edinburgh airport at the check-in desk and would wait for me and the others there. I said to him that would be fine, but that he would have a long wait as he was 24 hours to early!

Date of birth: 6th June 1979

Referee since: 1998

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: June 2006

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2011

What influenced you to become a referee?
My head teacher at the time, Alistair MacPherson, used to struggle to get referees to officiate at school matches as many of them were played at 4pm after school and he asked me if I fancied doing it.  I tried it and quite enjoyed the experience so decided to sit the referee entrance course.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
My first official game was an SFL Communities League cup tie, East Fife v Elgin City in July 2011.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
I really enjoyed being an assistant referee at the 2011 Scottish Junior Cup final where Auchinleck defeated Musselburgh 2-1.  There was a big crowd and rowdy atmosphere and the game passed by in a flash but it was a great experience.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
My two biggest achievements have come through refereeing schools’ football.  In May 2011, I refereed the Scottish Schools’ Senior Shield final at Hampden Park, a venue at which I had won the same trophy with my school team in 1997.  I also refereed my first schoolboy international match in February 2012 between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
As a Scottish referee, I think it would have to be a Scottish Cup Final between the Old Firm at Hampden although a Manchester derby or Real Madrid v Barcelona might run it close!

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
In the old SPL reserve league I refereed a number of SPL first team players returning from injury/suspension but I couldn’t name an individual as quite a few impressed me.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
I think it has to be the camaraderie.  As referees we all need to stick together as it can be hard to deal with the criticism no matter what level you referee at.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Refereeing takes up most of my time but I do enjoy taking my wife out for a meal!

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
I shouldn’t really slag him off as he used to be my referee mentor, but John McKendrick does wear some dodgy clobber.  Socks and sandals definitely don’t go!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
I think that might actually be me!

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Some would say this is also me but I would obviously disagree!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
I was refereeing an amateur match a few years back and was wearing the old white diadora kit which had a white top and white socks.  As the play switched quickly from one end to the other I tried to turn but slipped in the mud and went some ten yards on my side before coming to a stop.  When I got up I was totally brown down one side and both teams and the sidelines were in stitches!  It took me about five washes to get the dirt out!

Date of birth: 25th October 1978

Referee since:  December 2002

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: June 2005

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2008

What influenced you to become a referee?
My brother noticed an advert in our local newspaper and suggested I give it a bash as he had “just seen some Scottish guy (Hugh Dallas) get a gig at the World Cup Final”.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers in the Challenge Cup.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Many matches are memorable for many different reasons but my most recent appointment in Aalborg for Denmark v Macedonia in a UEFA Under-21 qualification match which finished 6-5 to the hosts will live long in my memory for the nature of the match and for what was an enjoyable trip.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being promoted to the FIFA list in 2010.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Having been fortunate enough to visit the Nou Camp last season I would have to say I would love to return and take care of El Classico. I think that is the feature game in world football at the moment and would be the ultimate test of any referee’s abilities.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Falcao. I was appointed as an additional assistant referee at the Athletco Madrid v Valencia Europa League semi-final where he scored an absolute screamer.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Getting the opportunity to travel the world.  I have been fortunate enough to officiate in fifteen countries through refereeing including China, Ukraine and Russia.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
I enjoy cycling and playing badminton.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Difficult as most of them dress like my grandad but to highlight a few Alan Muir would win the casual wear award while John McKendrick and Craig Charleston would share the swimwear prize.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
I need to say Assistant Referee Martin Cryans.  Always last to arrive, last to leave and does everything at his own pace. 

Which referee has the worst banter?
Long standing junior assistant referee Sandy “World Cup” Miller’s patter is absolutely horrendous but of the current category ones Steven “Westlife” McLean takes the biscuit.  Any time we are out he always has to mention how he got to the final cut of a well known boy band in the 90’s and only missed out because he was too short. Deal with it.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
It would have to be my second trip to the winter training camp in Marbella.  My room mate was the retired Bernie Winters and I honestly laughed from start to finish with his impersonations and stories of the good old days. I couldn’t do any of his gags justice but a personal favourite was the tale of a puggy and a painter’s radio. Better to ask him!

Date of birth: 20th September 1978

Referee since: 1998

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2004

Date promoted to Category 1: 2008

What influenced you to become a referee?
One of my friends was a referee and seemed to enjoy it so I thought I would give it a go too.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
East Stirling v Albion Rovers in the SFL Third Division.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
All my junior cup ties including the final were very memorable as was my first appointment in the SFL.  Getting my first SPL game at St Johnstone v Dunfermline tops them all.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Reaching the SPL as a referee.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Pele’s Brazil team against Maradona’s Argentina team at the old Hampden with the terraces packed.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Hard to say really.  At Category 2 I thought Shaun Maloney had a magnificent touch in a reserve game I refereed. 

What is the best thing about being a referee?
I feel a great sense of pride when I referee a game well.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
After becoming a father, parenthood seems to be my hobby!  I do like to get out on my mountain bike when I can.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
I am no fashion guru but Neil McLennan’s dress sense is just awful!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
I can’t think of anyone.  I tend to take my time and mess about a bit after games so maybe it’s me.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
I think most of the referees think they have good banter and to be fair most of it is not too bad.  There are a few that are dreadful but I don’t want to burst their bubbles!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
A player in one of my early junior games scored a goal, ran through the crowd and ate a pie while leaning on the pie stand counter.  Best celebration I have ever seen!

Date of birth: 7th July 1967

Referee since: 1991

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: June 1997

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2000

What influenced you to become a referee?
I have been involved in football since a young age, mainly on the playing side but ended up refereeing some schools’ matches whilst helping out with the teams after leaving school and found it quite enjoyable.   I continued to play and referee before being encouraged to officiate in the U18 and U21 leagues in Edinburgh which is when I concentrated solely on refereeing.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
It was at Balmoor, home of Peterhead FC, on a special occasion for them with it being their first ever SFL match. It was in August 2000 on a beautifully sunny afternoon resulting in a 2-0 home victory against Montrose.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
I refereed a World Cup qualifier between Sweden and Malta in June 2009 which was a great experience but the Scottish Cup final in 2011 as well as the Old Firm/Edinburgh derbies have all been memorable matches to be involved in.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
The Scottish Cup final appointment in 2010/11as well as the five years I spent as a FIFA Referee.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
I was fortunate enough to be part of Craig Thomson‘s team for the Champions League quarter final between Barcelona and Shakhtar last season and that was a fantastic occasion and arena for football. An all-Scottish Champions League final at the Nou Camp would do!

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
I’ve seen Messi close up on two occasions but never as referee so I would therefore have to say Ryan Giggs as he had an unbelievable ability to glide past a player effortlessly and has also adapted his game brilliantly over the years.  I also always thought that Russell Latapy was a tremendous talent whenever I refereed him.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Fitness, lifestyle and camaraderie.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
I don’t have so much now as free time is pretty limited so, other than an occasional game of golf, most time is spent with family or training.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
I’ve got to be careful here but our Euro 2012 team of officials will between them take some beating, particularly the leader of the pack Craig Thomson!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
If I’m being honest I don’t think I fair very well in this department, particularly after matches. If you are on with certain officials then it can also sometimes be a challenge to find your suit/shirt/shoes that have mysteriously managed to disappear during the afternoon. Am I right Mr Brines?

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Easy one – assistant referee Tom Murphy has the worst banter probably because I’m usually on the receiving end. Plenty stories post–retirement!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
It’s difficult to pick one story or incident as there have been so many over the years but one that I’ve not been allowed to forget in a hurry was a match at Glebe Park, Brechin when I managed to kick off the second half of the game blissfully unaware that the Peterhead goalkeeper was still in the changing room . I also managed in another game at Hamilton to wave a player back on to the park after he had been substituted – both of us were none the wiser for a while...and then there was that time at Firhill...

Date of birth: 20th June 1972

Referee since: 1988

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 1997

Date promoted to Category 1: 2000

What influenced you to become a referee?
To remain involved in football.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Montrose v Albion Rovers in the SFL Third Division.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
My first match will always be memorable and I suspect my last match will also be equally memorable, when that day arrives.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being appointed to referee at the European Championship Finals in 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Scotland v England match at the National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow would be a fantastic match to be involved in given the fact it is the oldest match in football and the greatest rivalry between two countries in football.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Zinedine Zidane when I officiated in a match involving him prior to 2006 World Cup finals in Paris.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in football at the highest level and putting something back into the game.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Golf, training and travelling.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Too many to mention within the Category 1 list so I will save their blushes in not naming them but they know who they are!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
My wife would definitely say me so I better include myself in this category of being longest in the shower.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Generally most of the guys have a good sense of humour and no-one takes themselves too seriously which is what I like in people so it’s difficult to say anyone that I would deliberately avoid on a trip or a match.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Not directly involving me but I remember watching a recent match involving a younger, inexperienced referee. He was so keen to make an impression in the match, and was running backwards keeping his eye on the play. He did not notice an injured player lying on the ground and proceeded to stand all over him. He fell over and caused the player to be stretched off for an injury suffered in his collision with the referee and not his original injury.

Date of birth: 8th May 1970

Referee since:  1997

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2006/07

Date promoted to Category 1: 2001/02

What influenced you to become a referee?
I used to be in the police based in central London living in one of the section houses and for something to do in the evenings I took the referee course as I thought back to the days I used to stand on the terraces at Brockville screaming abuse at the then referees. Most of whom are now observers at MY games and I always thought I could do better than them! If I knew then what I know now would I have would I still have shouted at them…definitely!

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Berwick Rangers v Albion Rovers.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Quite a few. My fist senior game as a referee. My first game as referee in the SPl. My first time as an official at venues such as Hampden, Parkhead and Ibrox but probably it would be when I was still an assistant referee  and ran the line to Hugh Dallas at Falkirk’s last ever game at Brockville between Falkirk and Inverness. To be involved in such an occasion at a ground where my dad took myself and my twin brother  to when we were about six or seven years old  made me realise how lucky I was to be involved at football at a level that. I could only have ever dreamt  about reaching as a player.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Definitely being promoted to SPL level. If I wasn’t a referee I would still be with my mates paying to get in to watch my team. So to have risen to and be thought of highly enough to referee teams in the top level of Scottish football is beyond my wildest expectations.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Would love to Referee any of the big matches in the FA Premier League but at the old lady who is no more…Brockville Park.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
My all-time favourite player is Kevin McAllister (how he never got a Scotland cap is a travesty) so refereeing games which involved him was a buzz. Others would be when still refereeing reserve football and Rangers and Celtic would sometimes play their big stars when coming back from injury, so players such as Ronald De Boer and Aiden McGeady spring to mind.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in football at a level where all my friends and work colleagues have to pay to get into. I really can’t get my head around how I’ve achieved what I have for basically being a punter off the terraces who only took up refereeing because he thought he could better than the numpty who ruined my afternoon back in the day.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
None, to get to and stay at the top level of refereeing in Scotland requires dedication to training, meetings, courses and of course games. Added to my day to day job means I have no time for anything els. Golf, tennis and cricket bore the pants off me anyway.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Big Craig Thomson on a night out looks like an extra from the TV series “A life on Mars”. Gene Hunt would be proud of some of his clobber.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Me! I can never get my hair to sit right even after spending ages doing it.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
George Salmond when he starts about cricket! Also Stephen Finnie’s story about his games can last longer than the games themselves actually did.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
At the Falkirk v St Johnston Scottish Cup fifth round match at Brockville in 1997 long before I even thought of taking up refereeing I was in the crowd and giving big Roddy Grant pelters, it got to him to such an extent he ran across shouting and pointing about meeting me at the back of the stand after the game. Needless to say I turned up but he didn’t (joke). Years later at a game I asked if he could remember it, he got a shock when I told him it was me that was the guy in the crowd.

Date of birth: 16th May 1967

Referee since: April 1991

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: June 1997

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2002

What influenced you to become a referee?
I played football and suffered under some horrendous referees at amateur level and thought, “I can do better than that”.  One of my work colleagues was also a senior referee who encouraged me to attend the referee classes.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Gretna v Albion Rovers.  August 2002.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Referee - Rangers v Hearts in March 2012.
Fourth official – Ajax v Real Madrid 2010 Champions League

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Scottish Junior Cup final referee 2001, staying at Category 1 for 10 years, refereeing regularly in the SPL since 2006 and officiating as fourth official in the Champions League/Europa League.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
The 1970 Brazil team versus the late 1950s Real Madrid team in the Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen with the roof closed.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Raul or Christiano Ronaldo – I can’t split them. 

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Seeing some fantastic skills at close hand.
Being part of a team (people don’t always associate referees as a team – but we are).

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Long distance running (11 marathons and numerous half marathons) and golf

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Probably myself – I have no dress sense. I am stuck in the 80s as my wife tells me.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
I can’t think of one in relation to matches. John McKendrick is probably the quickest - still in his suit at 2.29pm and changed at 2.30pm!

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
George Salmond has some pretty incredible stories in relation to his cricket days. Bit of a joker is George... if you ever play a friendly game of cricket with him, watch out for him bowling a “slow ball” for you to smash to the boundary. - it’s probably an apple! You get covered in it if you actually make contact!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Refereeing an under-16 match a long time ago (Hearts were the home team but I can’t remember the away team). The Hearts keeper had the ball passed back to him by the centre half and he then proceeded to make perfect contact with the ball in an attempt to launch it up the park. However the centre back had kept running towards the keeper after passing it back to him, and at full force (him running one way the ball going the other), he took the full weight of the ball in an area that I can’t put in print. Needless to say, everyone found it hilarious except the centre back and the physio  - who didn’t have a clue what to do! I took pity on the player and stopped play,  .deciding it might not have been a head injury – but it looked pretty serious!

Date of birth: 23rd March 1966

Referee since: December 1982

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: August 1991

Date promoted to Category 1: August 1998

What influenced you to become a referee?
I achieved a qualification as part of the Queen’s Badge award in my local Boys Brigade section in Cumbernauld.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Berwick Rangers v Queens Park on 6th August 1998.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
No particular game stands out but I take great pleasure from having been involved in many games at the very highest level of football, both domestically and abroad.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Two appointments as fourth official in the UEFA Champions League in season 2001/02 at PSV Eindhoven v Lazio and Sparta Prague v Panathanaikos.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
El Classico - Barcelona v Real Madrid at either of the two teams’ stadiums.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Difficult choice between Brian Laudrup and Henrik Larsson

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Going to places and meeting people that if I had not taken up refereeing would not have been achieved.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Keeping Greggs the Bakers and various fish and chip shops of East and North East Scotland in profit! Also keeping fit, travelling and watching my daughter playing football.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Mmmmmm... trade secret!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Definitely me!

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
That would be telling!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Too many to mention but given the freak nature of some of my injuries incurred over the years there will be a few gems in there!

Date of birth: 5th January 1976

Referee since: 2003

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2005

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2010

What influenced you to become a referee?
I always had a passion for football since an early age and played from boys club age. After retiring from a career in running through injury, I played junior and amateur. A family friend suggested refereeing as an alternative role in the game and I have never looked back.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Annan Athletic v East Stirlingshire.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Celtic v Manchester United Legends. To referee so many world class players in front of a capacity crowd was an experience I will never forget. My wife only came to watch because Gerard Butler was playing!

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
The 2010 Scottish Junior Cup final between Largs Thistle and Linlithgow Rose.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Barcelona (2012) v AC Milan (1989) at the Maracana Stadium. Two of the biggest clubs sides ever with an abundance of talent on each side and inside the largest stadium in the world would be my favourite.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Roy Keane or Henrik Larsson.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in football at a level far higher than my own playing talents could ever take me. Also, it is a very sociable activity and I have met many friends through the years.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Cycling, going to the cinema and avoiding doing the gardening!

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Dr John McKendrick wins hands down.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
David Somers.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
John Gilmour (Specialist Assistant Referee) – he is known as Mr Grumpy and is forever telling people what to do. He actually moans when he has nothing to complain about .

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Arriving for my first ever game after recently having passed the entrance exam I was reading the Laws of the Game while being driven to the match just to ensure that I was going to be right in what I was about to do.

However, I am sure there are many fans of junior and senior teams that think my performances on a Saturday can count as a comedy moment.