Gooner Talk

Gooner Talk have scored an exclusive interview with ex-Premiership referee Jeff Winter.

Jeff’s career as a referee stretched over some 25 years until he retired at the end of the 2003/04 season after taking charge of the FA Cup Final.

Since breaking ties with the Football Association, Jeff is free to speak about his experiences with true candidness, his dealings with the most controversial and volatile players and his experience of the management elite.

In part 2 of the interview, Jeff discusses how he tried to calm Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane down when they battled against each other, the most aggressive game he’s ever refereed and much more!

If you missed Part 1, read it here.

What did you say to Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane when you had to referee a game between Arsenal v Manchester United during the fierce battles on and off the pitch?
 
I only reffed one game between the two sides in the FA Cup at Old Trafford when Arsenal won 2-1. I obviously kept  a very close eye on them both and my words were usually quite to the point enhanced with the odd expletive. It must have worked though certainly with Arsenal. Believe it or not to the best of my recollection I never sent an Arsenal player off, there are not many Refs that can say that!!!

 
Best game you’ve refereed?
 
In terms of personal pride the FA Cup Final Manchester United v Millwall, in terms of the game Spurs v Manchester United 3-0 at half time 3-5 full time.

 
Most aggressive game you’ve refereed?
 
First ten minutes of United v Arsenal, then thank God things calmed down otherwise it would probably have got abandoned!!!
 
Nicest thing a player/manager has said to you during a match?
 
Probably the late great Sir Bobby Robson, Newcastle had gone battered 3-0 at Liverpool and with genuine warmth he sought me out and complimented me saying he thought that I had enjoyed an outstanding game. Typical of the man, a true gentleman.
 
Worst thing a player/manager has said to you during a match?
 
Sticks and stones really, nobody said anything that really upset me, I would probably have chinned them if they had done!!!!
 
And finally Jeff, If you had the chance to play, instead of ref, for a massive club (other than your beloved Boro!), who would it be?
 
Glasgow Rangers.

Many thanks to Jeff for agreeing to do the interview.

To read all Jeff’s other articles, purchase a copy of his very popular autobiography “ Who’s the Baxtard in the Black” or to book him for “After Dinner Speaking” check out his website www.jeffwinter.co.uk

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 4:00 pm and is filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.