Female ref who quit railway worker job gives perfect response amid VAR fallout

04 October 2023 , 10:05

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Referee Kirsty Dowle during the FA Women's Super League match between Manchester United and Liverpool in January 2023 (Image: 2023 Getty Images)

A football official clapped off the pitch in a non-ironic fashion at the end of a football match?

Amid the ongoing turmoil and vitriol engulfing modern-day referees, intensified after Luis Diaz’s baffling disallowed goal over the weekend, such an occurrence feels fanciful, if not totally laughable.

But such was the occasion on Tuesday evening at Southend United ’s National League victory over Oxford City, a victory that coincided with the club’s last-minute sale, led by Australian investor Justin Rees, that ended the torrid and contentious 25-year ownership of Ron Martin.

The 6,035 fans in attendance at Roots Hall already relishing a carnival atmosphere pre-kick-off were treated not only to a cruising 2-0 victory to celebrate the sale and their new bright future; but also to an officiating display deserving of recognition, which is precisely what the fans did as referee Kirsty Dowle walked back towards the tunnel after the final whistle.

Maybe it was the good vibes. Maybe it was the 6ft polyester shrimp mascot. Or maybe, an official doing their job without the expectant erroneous blips of late has become a cause for celebration.

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The outpouring of praise for Dowle’s performance in the centre of the park was profuse. One Twitter user declared: “Best ref we’ve had this season”, with another writing: “She was a very good ref so well deserved”.

More followed: “We had her at Maidenhead earlier in the season, very professional and as you say isn’t fooled or takes any (sic) shannigans that teams get up too". "One of the best performances by a referee at Roots Hall for years and years". "I didn't notice her. Oh that's a good thing."

Dowle is familiar with the harsh glare that comes with refereeing. A former railway worker, Dowle has nearly a decade of officiating experience under her belt, while playing the game at county level until the age of 16.

She committed to refereeing full-time earlier this year and has taken control of last season’s Conti Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as the FA Women’s Cup final the season prior.

Also a FIFA referee with experience on the international stage, Dowle forms part of a new 28-strong development group of match officials through Elite Referee Development Plan - aimed at enhancing standards. The standards were on display on Tuesday evening, an arguably necessary tonic.

Megan Feringa