This morning there was no fitness session due to the Dallas Cup commencing tomorrow (Sunday).. so we got an extra hour in bed!
Through the night, i received an email from The Dallas Cup appointments team advising me that i have been appointed to an opening ceremony game at the Cottonbowl stadium on Sunday. This is a massive appointment for me, the best i could hope for! I am assistant referee for this game (Valencia v Tigres) and there is an expected crowd of around 15,000 which is the most i have officiated infront of.
The team of officials is an all English affair, therefore the coaches and the FA are delighted with this appointment. The team of officials are as follows:
Referee - Peter Bankes
Assistant Referee - Mike Barlow
Assistant Referee - Josh Few
Fourth Official - Rob Jones
Today at 8:30am we met on the fields at Richland College, and tested out our Communication kits which we will be using in the opening ceremony games, which i believe will be televised and have live streams on the internet.
From there we had some lunch at a local deli take out, then headed off for a spot of shopping in the afternoon.
We arrived back at our homestays at 3:30pm, to get showered and changed ready for our referee registation and reception.
We got suited and booted, wearing our FA badges and ties with pride as we entered the reception. We booked in as match officials and met 200 referees from all over the world. To speak to them about different officiating styles in their country was amazing.
Howard Webb attended the reception, and met with us FA referees seperately to introduce himself to us and inspire us in preparation for our first games. Meeting Howard was a fantastic experience, one in which i wont forget. He in my opinion is the best referee this world has ever seen, and to meet him inspired me, and i can only aspire to be like him one day.
The reception ended at 9:30pm, where we retired and went back to our homestays.
Let the games commence!!!
Mike B.
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