News

Bishop Auckland Club welcome Michael Oliver to recent session

Photos kindly provided by Peter Jackson and extracts of article taken from Mike Amos

Earlier this year, our Bishop Auckland Sporting Memories Club welcomed a local lad who has reached the top of professional football, in elite level referee Michael Oliver.

Michael joined the session in front of a packed audience of Club Members at Heritage Park where he shared a number of stories and personal experiences from his career to date.

Making his way from local non-league to the World Cup

Michael’s refereeing journey started at 14 years of age, when his dad recommended giving it a go in his local area, having himself been a referee at Football League level. He had to learn the ropes through a refereeing course before taking on his first match in his home town of Ashington.

Never at that point would Michael have managed the journey he has been on for over 25 years, having risen all the way through local non-league divisions, to becoming a full-time official, managing some of the biggest matches in England and across the World.

Michael is aiming to be involved with next year’s World Cup in north America.

Public backlash

One of the negative aspects of the modern game is the instant reaction that followers of football can give on the performance of referees, whether it be online or in person.

Michael mentioned the challenges him and his family have faced with the criticism received over his management of games, including the need at times for the police to be involved. The audience were taken aback by the impact on a personal life being involved in a high-profile sport can have.

Interaction with players

A referee’s job sees them interacting with players, and more often that not being criticised or insulted for their decisions. One of Michael’s most memorable interactions came with legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Michael sent off Buffon in a crucial Champions League match for Juventus against Real Madrid, where the keeper swore at the referee in Italian, but Michael clearly knew what he meant!

It was a brilliant session for all in attendance and Terry Jackson, Director at Bishop Auckland FC, was delighted with how the session went: “It was a pleasure to welcome Michael to the Sporting Memories Club recently and to hear about his amazing career at the top level of the game.

“Our members love hearing from guests across a wide range of sporting backgrounds, but being at a football club, I think hearing Michael’s insights about officiating the modern game was something which they really engaged with.”

You can also read more details on Michael’s visit through this excellent review written by Mike Amos on his website here - https://mikeamosblog.wordpress.com/ 

Thanks to Peter Jackson for providing the photos for this article.

The Bishop Auckland club runs alternate Thursday, starting at 10:30am. To find more about joining their next session, contact Terry Jackson via terry.jackson@bishopafc.com