Worst Refereeing Decision In History

[Ram59]

I can remember another non goal. At the BBG in the mid seventies against a newly promoted Aston Villa, I was standing on the popside. Villa broke away, yards offside, drew our keeper and rolled it just inside the far post at the Normanton End. Astonishingly, the net wasn't properly fixed to the post and ground and the ball carried on rolling through the net and behind the goal.I was directly behind the shot and saw that it was inside the post.

The Villa player celebrated, but the ref gave a goal kick. When Villa protested, the ref inspected the net and found out to be loose, but still didn't give the goal. Justice was done in the end, because he was miles offside.

[Geoff Parkstone]

It always struck me as peculiar that the team that won the toss does not get to kick off, merely to chose ends - although I suppose in reality taking the initial kick off isnt much of a plus point.

[Romanis]

It always struck me as peculiar that the team that won the toss does not get to kick off, merely to chose ends - although I suppose in reality taking the initial kick off isnt much of a plus point.

You must remember that football rules are deeply influenced by the British game. We form 4 of the 9 components of the IFAB the body that makes the rules.
As such we prefer to choose which side to attack or defend in the halves. Normally to attack the standing section of the home fans in the 2nd half (as was the case back then)
Therefore kick off is kinda irrelevant.

However these days there's actually a bet available on who starts the ball rolling. And I know of a few isolated incidents where things are manufactured thus

[MadAmster]

However these days there's actually a bet available on who starts the ball rolling. And I know of a few isolated incidents where things are manufactured thus

Toss fixing? That's a new one on me. Whoever wins the toss chooses an end so the visiting skipper would have to ensure he won the toss. To do that the ref would have to be part of the conspiracy IMO. The home skipper would also have to be in on it or he might not accept seeing that he won the toss but the other skipper was deemed to have won it.........

Just how does this toss fixing work Rom?

[Andy_Faber]

Toss fixing? That's a new one on me. Whoever wins the toss chooses an end so the visiting skipper would have to ensure he won the toss. To do that the ref would have to be part of the conspiracy IMO. The home skipper would also have to be in on it or he might not accept seeing that he won the toss but the other skipper was deemed to have won it.........

Just how does this toss fixing work Rom?

I do remember a Derby player, I'm sure it was Paul Kitson, taking the ball from kick off and lamping it way into the stands for a throw-in to the opposition. My suspicion was that that was something to do with some sort of bet. Maybe he was at West Ham when it happened

[Romanis]

Yes toss fixing is usually the referee. Because it's quite common for the ref to declare the sides. I would almost always tell the captains who got head or rails. No I didn't do toss fixing. But if you got the referee you solved it. Most captains don't even bother to look. They just take your word.
And yes first throw in is also another area.

But these days betting firms are quite wise to both these tactics and you can no longer bet thousands in it. But I gather corners are still open, but it's quite hard unless you got the team with you because no one likes to concede a corner in normal circumstances.
The kick off or throw in is not as important.