CLUBS have to provide marks on the performance of the referees taking their games.

It would be interesting to discover if the marks have improved in the Championship this season.

The reason I ask is because of the minor revolution in refereeing that’s happened at Championship level. It is also something that can certainly affect referees’ careers.

Championship refs have become full time professionals. They have more time for training, which should improve their handling of games, application of law and their fitness.

They have become part of what is known as Select Group 2. Select Group 1 consists of those who referee Premier League games.

Also created is the Select Group 2 – Assistant Referees. One of its founder members gave an interesting talk at the Reading referees meeting.

A young man who had rocketed up the refereeing pyramid, becoming an assistant referee on the Football League by the age of 20. Traditionally, progression is gained by running the line at one level higher than you referee. Then, if your marks are good enough, you move from the line to the middle of that league.

However, he was faced with the question, ‘do you want to carry on refereeing or become a specialist assistant referee?’ He chose the lining option and now runs the line in the Championship.

This is not a full time job but requires more involvement than before, so he has had to give up his teaching position and take part-time work.

A reader of this column in Yorkshire e-mailed me, querying why some of their refs have been similarly affected. Why has it come about?

At this year’s World Cup, for the first time in decades, there is no English referee. The Premier League has older referees than any other major national league.

Young referees are not making their way through and it is thought that they are not being exposed to the higher levels of the game earlier enough.

Let’s hope it works and the markings improve?