Paul Hurst pities 'thankless' task of being a referee
Paul Hurst pities the thankless job of refereeing and thinks more honesty is required for an improved standard.
Shrewsbury boss Hurst goes toe-to-toe with Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson today at Montgomery Waters Meadow. The Rovers chief hit national headlines this week after suggesting during a post-match interview that referees should be shot for the appalling standard.
Ferguson, whose first game as Doncaster boss was at Shrewsbury in October 2015, has been charged by the FA for his comments after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Plymouth and has until Monday to appeal. He will be in the dug-out for today’s League One clash.
Hurst believes a number of managers in the lower leagues get frustrated with a lack of quality from officials. But he has some sympathy for the men in black, suggesting that simulation and acting is now required otherwise players and staff lose out for being too honest.
“I think there’s a lot of managers that get frustrated and would like to see standards raised,” said Hurst.
“I have to say at times, I’ve seen it, players don’t help the referees. There’s a feeling that you have to join in the play-acting to get decisions.
“Otherwise you’re punished for being too honest. There’s no doubt they’re not helped at times.
“It’s a very difficult job. I don’t envy them one little bit. I think Darren spoke about fitness levels. If there are some out that aren’t fit then that isn’t good enough.
“You want them to get the big decisions right – there are always going to be wrong decisions.”
Hurst admitted he often has to take a breather to cool his frustration at full-time because going on air to conduct live post-match interviews.
Ferguson later apologised for his comments, saying they were made tongue-in-cheek.
But the Shrews boss acknowledged the game’s elite when discussing the lack of respect that officials receive from management.
He added: “It’s hard, I’m not sure what the solution is. They spoke about getting ex-pros involved, that didn’t seem to take off.
“There’s talk about being professional at full-time. Look at the Premier League, how many games are there where the referee doesn’t get moaned at?”
