Rarely do referees get so much good press, as in The Telegraph, former rugby professional Brian Moore, having recently completed his refereeing course, is beginning to sympathise with the man (or woman) with the whistle.

Before I arrived at the first session I wondered what sort of person would want to be a referee; derided, degraded and sometimes defiled by all and sundry; the man in the middle with no mates. Why would anyone want to do this; give up their spare time to invariably get criticised and in the case of a football referee possibly abused verbally and occasionally physically?

The answer is that they are ordinary blokes, with all sorts of reasons. Some want to give a bit back to the game, others want to do it because they teach and many because they are involved in the game through their kids.

There was scant evidence of individuals so inadequate at playing that they had to take up the whistle to make up for their multiple inadequacies – the “little Hitlers”, as referees are so often caricatured. Most just want to help and in the days of government paranoia about paedophiles and other red tape, they face an increasing number of hurdles to just try to make that contribution.

Without the support of parents, coaches and particularly their governing body, a referee’s job is made tougher, to the point that it almost becomes impossible. Referees are essential and need encouraging, but that does not put them beyond criticism and, as a referee, I wholeheartedly endorse my own views.