Why I . . . am a football referee

When Craig Napier takes to the pitch as a referee for Scottish Professional Football League matches he has learnt, as with medicine, to expect the unexpected. “You’ve got to be focused at all times, ready for what’s going to happen next,” says Napier, a GP at Bourtreehill Medical Practice in Irvine and GP director for year four at the University of Glasgow Medical School.

As with being a doctor, an important aspect of refereeing is “being able to communicate and connect with different types of people,” he says.

He has refereed over 1500 games, including at the highest level of Scottish football, the Scottish Premiership. “Every game is unique, with its own challenges,” he says.

Refereeing allows Napier to stay fit and to achieve a good work-life balance—he combines a love of general practice with a passion for football. “Patients will often ask what game I’m refereeing that week and are always supportive,” he says.

Then there is “that sense of excitement, eagerness, and the need to get going when you step onto the pitch before a match,” he says.

Napier has always loved football. “My earliest memories of football are Euro 96 when I was 6 years old, and my interest grew from there. I played football in my spare time and watched as much as I could. Everything in my life growing up revolved around the game.”

As a teenager, he became interested in refereeing. “I recognised it was a difficult role, but I’ve always liked to challenge myself.” Aged 16 he took a 10 week course in refereeing—which involved attending lectures and a written exam, and resulted in a certificate allowing him to referee at matches in Scotland. Coaches and observers from the Scottish Football Association would then give feedback, pointers, and “lots of encouragement,” and gradually he moved up the level of games he was refereeing.

He continued to referee during his medical training. “It helped keep me fit, was a release from pressures, and an important source of income as a student.” Progressing up the ranks of refereeing involves further training to develop skills. In 2016, while a GP trainee, Napier was promoted to “category 1 referee,” and became part of a select group who are allowed to referee in premiership games. Since 2020, he has been refereeing in Scotland’s top flight.

Refereeing football is not the same experience as playing, he says. “When you score a goal there’s no better feeling for players. With refereeing you’re there to keep players safe and make sure the match is fair. But there’s a real sense of achievement and satisfaction when you come off the pitch knowing a game has been handled well, and you’ve got the important decisions right,” he says.

On the day of a game Napier makes sure the pitch is in fit condition and checks equipment. During a game, “I’m anticipating what the next problem could be. Then there’s the physical challenge of keeping up with play and making sure your view is not blocked and that you’ve got a good angle to see the action. And you’re also managing the different personalities of players.”

“Conflict comes with the territory,” he says. “Players, managers, and fans are all very passionate about the game and emotions can run high.” He adds, “Inevitably, when you make a decision as a referee, you usually upset 50% of people. For me it’s the hardest part of the job. But these are also challenges I anticipate and enjoy. And my work life has prepared me for making difficult decisions under pressure.”

As much as refereeing can be challenging, Napier finds it a release from the pressures of general practice. “For an hour and a half you are solely focused on the match. You’ve got to get those decisions right. You can’t let your mind wander to something that’s troubling you at work,” he says.

If you’ve got a passion for football, refereeing is a great way to be involved with the game, Napier says. “It’s an opportunity to learn about the laws of football, and to have a better understanding of the game when watching it. When you do a referees’ course it opens your eyes and you gain a new perspective on the game,” he says.

And, while there are potential advantages for referees to go full time, “I enjoy my work in general practice too much to do that,” he says. “The balance I’ve got between looking after patients and students, and participating in football, is perfect.”