[Archived] John Williams - new role

[Mercer]

Underlines just how much JW is respected throughout the game.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackburn-rovers/9816747/Former-Blackburn-Rovers-chairman-John-Williams-to-be-appointed-the-new-head-of-professional-referees-body.html

You couldn't see this happening with the likes of Singh, Vinny, Agnew, Shaw etc.

Venky's must rue the day they listened to the wrong advice about JW.

[Tom]

Good luck John, sounds a good place to be in and well deserved

[Miller11]

Having people of the calibre of John Williams involved in the decision making processes at any level of the game can only be a good thing.

[philipl]

That's a challenging role and one that John Williams is fully capable of filling with distinction.

[CapeTownRover]

JW will be immense in that role. Good Luck Mr Williams, wish you everything of the best. Maybe some day when Venkys are dragged out Blackburn(oh wait) by Abbey, will you be able to return to where you belong.

[dave birch]

amen to that CTR

[rickard]

Good Luck Mr Williams, all the best to you! God knows we miss you around this place.

Now this is a man with real dignity, not like the bald tosser we had to endure for 2 years.

[SydneyRover]

In that article it says he's 63. I suspect this will be his final role. Good luck John.

[Wolves_Rover]

Tough job with a lot of media attention going toward officials lately.

Suspect he will perform the role with dignity and disticnction though.

Best of Luck Mr Williams.

[Andy]

As above, good role for him and one that I cannot see him doing anything but succeeding in.

Our loss is their gain.

[arbitro]

Unless the role is changing I would be surprised if it suited John Williams who is used to being really hands on. His predecessor (Peter Heard) was realy low profile in the job and I saw his role as mainly chairing monthly meetings, interviewing prospective referees and liasing with Mike Riley and David Allison who manage the two respective refereeing groups with the PGMO. The day to day running of the two groups (Select and National) are done by these two. From memory there was very little interaction between Peter Heard and clubs regarding refereeing matters. For a period of time Heard was also chairman of Colchester United whilst working for the PGMO.

[SouthAussieRover]

I hope he instructs the referees to carry on as they are despite RFW's constant attacks on officials.

I also hope he influences the regulatory bodies to put RFW more firmly on his place.

[roverwhelmed]

Good luck John, all the very best to you.

[jim mk2]

1 SOCCER Referees

FORMER BLACKBURN CHIEF NAMED NEW HEAD OF REFS' GROUP

By Martyn Ziegler, Chief Reporter, Press Association Sport

Former Blackburn chairman John Williams has been appointed as the new chairman of the referees' group Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Williams, Blackburn chairman from 1998 to 2011 after which he worked with Manchester City, will succeed Peter Heard at the end of the season.

His responsibilities will include providing advice and support for PGMOL general manager Mike Riley.

Williams said: ``My involvement will primarily be at a strategic level but I expect to have some tactical engagement with the wider stakeholders groups involved in refereeing.

``It's incredibly important to build continually the cooperation and communication between players, managers and match officials.''

The PGMOL group trains and organises 77 referees and 231 assistant referees, including the 16 elite professional Select Group officials.

Riley paid tribute to Heard, saying: ``Peter has overseen the professionalisation of officiating from its beginnings in 2001 to its position now as one of the most respected bodies in world refereeing.

``The accuracy and fitness of our Select Group officials has never been better, the relationships we have with the likes of the Professional Footballers' Association and the League Managers' Association never stronger.

``We are excited about John's arrival. He is a hugely respected figure in boardrooms across English football and has an excellent knowledge of both the opportunities and challenges of modern football.''