The comment regarding referees being professional is double edged. They are inasmuch as they receive payment for refereeing or assisting each match they cover, but speaking as a qualified and active referee at local level, although now long in the tooth, so far as I am aware only those included within the premiership select group are full time, i.e. they are on a retainer and fully employed by the FA.
The rest, and whilst I'm not 100% sure, including championship officials downwards through the leagues and non league, are part time and by definition therefore, have to integrate their refereeing within their other main employment. They do however, get paid for refereeing.
I was talking, some years ago now, with an official who was one of the premiership elect officials who told me that he was paid £500 per game + expenses in addition to his £50,000 annual retainer payment from the FA. I happen to know that he is now employed full time as the CEO of an English County FA and presumably is therefore no longer on the select list. However, having a job with the FA clearly helps him to continue refereeing on the FL circuit, which he does.
The meagre £20 match fee + 30p per mile expenses which I am paid presumably makes me professional also!
The rest, and whilst I'm not 100% sure, including championship officials downwards through the leagues and non league, are part time and by definition therefore, have to integrate their refereeing within their other main employment. They do however, get paid for refereeing.
I was talking, some years ago now, with an official who was one of the premiership elect officials who told me that he was paid £500 per game + expenses in addition to his £50,000 annual retainer payment from the FA. I happen to know that he is now employed full time as the CEO of an English County FA and presumably is therefore no longer on the select list. However, having a job with the FA clearly helps him to continue refereeing on the FL circuit, which he does.
The meagre £20 match fee + 30p per mile expenses which I am paid presumably makes me professional also!

