Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88210 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-05
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Scotland on Sunday
"Jeff Winter is happy to speak out and lift the lid on his time in the middle..forthright and frank."

Four Four Two
"Affords a rare insight into the referee's lot and doesn't disappoint."

The Times
"His book will be enjoyed by all those interested in how football has evolved over the past two decades."

Customer Reviews

Who's the B? Who cares?
I note that one of the favourable reviews is by someone who doesn't read books! Nobody who does could enjoy this self-obsessed tosh by a ref who wasn't good enough to make the international list. There are much better books by much better refs available -- Collina, Poll, Elleray.

The self importance of being Jeffrey
They say that you can tell when a football referee has had a good match when you forgot he was there. Jeff Winter didn't seem to believe this adage. To me he seemed to enjoy getting himself noticed, as if the crowd had paid to see him, as well as a game of football.
This may be unfair, but this book does little to dispel these feelings. Instead, Jeff Winters overwhelming feelings of self importance radiate from almost every page and 'Who's the b******' turns into a bit of a tedious read.
It is largely a recounting of matches that he has officiated in - Jeff Winter's greatest hits? - but there is the occasional gem thrown in. The one that stands out in my mind is the anecdote about his last game at Anfield. He recalls that after the final whistle had been blown the crowd burst into a particularly rousing burst of applause. He speculates that this was directed at him, as an appreciation of the career as a referee. This may be so, but I think that it is most likely done because the home team had played excellently, winning 4-0!
One day someone will write the definative book about being a referee. It hasn't been written yet and and this certainly isn't it.

An unironic title
As an avid fan of all sport biographies, you sometimes have to take the rough with the smooth. I had really enjoyed David Elleray's autobiography on life as a ref so was keen to read Jeff Winter's account.

Ultimately, this was a disappointing read. Winter clearly rates himself both as a top referee and as a comedian. The book is littered with "end of the pier" quips that just aren't funny. Moreover, his account of life as a top referee suggest an arrogance that may have made him so unpopular with players and managers.

Interestingly, Winter writes of his admiration for my beloved Liverpool and his good relationship with Steven Gerrard. A very different account of that relationship is given in Gerrard's own book where he questions Winter's attitude and ability as a ref.

It gets two stars for offering some insight but, if you want a decent book on top level refereeing, then opt for David Elleray's more insightful, better written and self-effacing "Man in the Middle".