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There has been much talk in the media this week about the FA's Respect campaign and their attempts to ensure match officials get a better deal during games.
There is no doubt that things need to improve, particularly at grassroots level. A friend of mine runs the line on a regular basis for our local junior team and is regularly subjected to some pretty foul abuse from watching parents. He has also noticed a marked deterioration over recent years in the behaviour of players and their attitude towards match officials.
A lot of this behaviour is learned from watching their heroes on TV. There is no doubt in my mind that professional footballers should always seek to act as role models, and never underestimate the impact that their behaviour can have on their young fans.
On that basis I was particularly impressed with Lee Johnson's contribution both on and off the pitch at Southampton.
His superb performance and match winning goal was the perfect riposte to those who had cheered his substitution during the Reading game. And his measured interview after the game where he praised supporters was a credit to him, given some of the stick he has taken from certain quarters.
Another aspect of the Respect campaign has been the walk out and shake hands before the game. I have mixed feelings about this. We do our best to create an atmosphere before the game by playing the right music, but with the long drawn out pre-match ritual, a lot of that energy dissipates by the time the game kicks off.
I mentioned this to one of our recent referees who told me he had seen this happen at other grounds this season. He also felt that the exercise did little to change the way in which players reacted to him during the game. Football is a passionate sport, and no amount of handshaking will stop a pumped up player expressing himself during a match. The referee felt that this was to be expected, and was acceptable providing it didn't get out of hand.
But we both agreed that the ritual is important, if it helps to spread a better attitude towards match officials to the lower levels of the game. In this week, where a simple poppy speaks volumes for the sacrifices made by millions on our behalf, we should never underestimate the importance of symbolism.
David Lloyd
E-mail questions, requests and dedications for David to david.lloyd@bcfc.co.uk. Alternatively write to Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, Ashton, Bristol, BS3 2EJ.
