Rafferty learning all the disciplines

IN a life where his leisure and educational pursuits are dominated by rules and leadership, it's little wonder that law student Liam Rafferty, vice-captain of Leith Athletic under-19s, is now combining his studies and playing responsibilities with a career in refereeing.

It's a dual football role rare to the South East Region youth game and, by bringing a still-active player into an officiating role, is perhaps a template with values worth considering by more senior organisations.

Liam is nearing the climax of his first year studying law at Stirling University, where he attends lectures throughout the week.

At weekends, he pulls on the black-and-white No.5 jersey of Leith Athletic on a Saturday, before swapping it for a black referee's shirt on a Sunday.

"Law and refereeing kind of go hand-in-hand," he says. "I do love my football, so I can't really sack that yet – I'd rather play than referee. Then again, there are a lot of pros in being a top-listed referee."

Certainly, with inspiration to be drawn from Scotland's most recent top-class official, Hugh Dallas, Liam has a somewhat better chance of reaching World and European Cup finals as a referee than as a player.

For now, though, taking charge of youth games across the Lothians is merely an extra source of footballing enjoyment and much-needed income for a student with four years of university remaining.

"I hate working in shops," he says. "When I turned 16, I got a job at a clothes shop on Fridays and Sundays and didn't enjoy it. If I had to work, of course I would, but my mother came up with the idea of refereeing – she said it would be a good way to get a bit of extra pocket money.

"I started in December last year, and having prior knowledge of the league obviously helped."

His experience as a player in youth football in and around Edinburgh naturally means Liam, playing his alter ego as the man in the middle, comes into contact with familiar faces each week.

But the former Musselburgh Windsor player – who moved to Leith three years ago and whose finest hour on the field of play came when he scored the goal that won Leith the 2008 under-16 Scottish Youth FA Challenge Cup at Airdrie – reckons that having built a reputation as a firm-but-fair competitor has its benefits in avoiding flak from the sidelines.

"I think that works for me," he says. "Obviously, I've come across people I know, and as a referee that's a good thing as your relationship with players is so important.

"They know I'm a player, and I think I get some respect for that."

"Some players think that the ref is against you, but I'm there to enjoy myself as much as they are. I'm just there to officiate, and I'll make the game as good a quality as I can. I like a flowing game – I'm not as pernickety as some young referees who are always 'by the book.'

"I sometimes get it wrong and think I was too lenient, but I'm aggressive as a player myself and I don't want to be a hypocrite, do I?"