Learn about Richard Gutsell’s journey through grassroots football, and how Disability Football took him to St George’s Park.

Richard took his referee course with in 2021, and quickly fell in love with refereeing. He was soon officiating three matches a weekend, and exploring other areas of the game he could get involved in.

"For the 2021/22 season, I predominantly refereed on the Peterborough District Junior Football League & Lincolnshire Women & Girls Football League which already kept me busy until February 2022, when Jordan Mason (now Football Development Manager at Northamptonshire FA) put a shout out looking for referees for the Ability Counts League in Lincoln. I was intrigued, and once I knew more, I jumped at the chance.

"Whilst I thoroughly enjoy Refereeing non-disability football, the Ability Counts League brought so much more personal reward for me and really made me feel that I was giving something back, whilst supporting and encouraging the teams - plus I felt really appreciated. The players had varying disability levels, but played with so much more passion and determination, not letting their disabilities stand in the way of their love of football. The league met once a month to play 10-minute matches against the rest of their group."

Soon after his first experience in Disability Football, Richard attended the Refereeing Disability Football Workshop, to underpin his understanding of disability football and develop his ability to officiate disabled players.

There are over 11.5 million disabled people in England (14 million in the UK), of which over 150,000 play some form of football at least once a month. In England, there are over 1,950 affiliated teams and 37 disability county leagues.

Following the workshop and his early experiences officiating Disability Football, Richard continued his journey through the disability pathway – and within 12 months had officiated at St George’s Park for the FA Disability Cup.

"During the training and in a conversation with Jordan, I asked about officiating more inclusive football and he put me in touch with Cerebral Palsy Football, and there my inclusive football refereeing journey continued during 2022/23. Similar to Ability Counts League, the CP leagues met monthly, but in Northampton & Sheffield due to the number of teams coming from all over the country. The season culminates in the end of year Cup Final and the FA Disability Cup weekend, which is held at the home of football - St Georges Park! In my first season, I was lucky enough to be selected as third official in the televised cup final. The experience of being an official at St George's Park is something special with two exceptional CP football teams, which this year were Norwich City and North East & Yorkshire."

Richard has a message for anyone who is thinking of taking up the opportunity or officiate in Disability Football.

"There are so many different types of inclusive football and disability leagues that are so very important to these communities and could do with support," he said.

"Refereeing this format of the game gives you a real sense of purpose, and you truly feel included and part of the wide community family. I would encourage any referee to offer their support where they can. You will be surprised just how many leagues and teams are involved."

Upcoming Refereeing Disability Football Workshop

If you have been inspired by Richard's story, make sure you join us for our Refereeing Disability Football workshop, in partnership with Huntingdonshire FA in October.

Even if you have no experience of disability football, we would love you to come along.

Date and Time: Thursday 3rd October (6:30pm-9pm)
Location: Kettering Buccleuch Academy, NN16 9NS

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This article is extracted from Lincolnshire FA’s Changing The Game: Richard Gutsell.