Willie Dishington: 'I like to explain decisions to riders'

NEWS Saturday 18th July 2020, 6:00pm

by PR Team

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Scottish speedway referee Willie Dishington was the special guest for last week's Sunday Lunch question and answer session when he shared some of the ins and outs of the refereeing world.

Willie was quick to assure fans that referees are keeping 'match fit' during the extended off-season, "To be match fit, you just need to keep reading the rule book when you can, it makes good bedtime reading!

"Like anything, certain things will stick in your memory but you can't take all of it in. Every week you need to keep reading it again and again."

Although Willie started his refereeing career in football, he had a bit of an unlikely start, "A mate of mine passed the test, so I did it to shut him up. I wasn't going to do anything with it but then I started getting phone calls to do some boys matches - I didn't even have a strip or whistle!

"But I did it and I enjoyed it, so I decided to give it a good bash."

Willie progressed all the way to running the line at the Scottish Cup Final and refereeing European ties before hanging up the boots to move into speedway. Talking about his approach to officiating, "I would say I never feel intimidated by speedway riders.

"But I will always meet them afterwards to explain how I came to the decision and give them my side of the story. We're never always going to agree though."

If you missed last weekend's Sunday Lunch with Willie, you can watch now over on EMTV.

John and Liam return for another live Sunday Lunch With... question and answer session tomorrow with Club Chairman Alex Harkess (Sunday 19th). Ask your questions now by emailing johnandliam@edinburghmonarchs.co.uk or ask live during the session over on Monarchs Facebook page.