The Impossible Job: The Truly Unbelievable World of Football Referees
Celebrating the launch of a new book by William Ralston, which takes an unprecedented look inside refereeing
Join Stanchion Books for the launch of The Impossible Job: The Truly Unbelievable World of Football Referees by William Ralston, chaired by Will Woodward, Head of Sport at The Guardian.
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The book:
Booed by crowds. Sworn at by players. Spat on from the stands. Threatened, accused, hated. Welcome to the world of football refereeing.
We watch referees every week. But almost none of us understand what the job really demands.
In this meticulously reported book, William Ralston goes deep inside football's most exposed role, speaking to officials from Sunday league pitches to World Cups to show what it takes to officiate at the highest level.
With rare access to UEFA, FIFA, and PGMO, he embeds with referees across Europe’s five major leagues – Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League – following them through training camps, assessment rooms, and matchdays, where a single call can define a career. He also learns to referee himself, experiencing first-hand the speed and scrutiny that come with every call.
Through defining matches and controversial decisions, he examines the influence of VAR, how referees judge fouls, and the excruciatingly fine margins between control and chaos.
An unprecedented look inside refereeing, The Impossible Job will change the way you watch football forever.
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"William Ralston reveals the reality of refereeing. Ritually abused and remorselessly undermined by the VAR system, referees still know what they’re doing" - Michael Calvin, author of The Nowhere Men.
"At last, a book on the referees that does justice to their incredible and irreplaceable contribution to football. In contrast to the dimwitted caricatures that dominate fan cultures, William Ralston’s impossible job - by turns sharp, empathetic, and funny - captures an elite referee’s humanity, integrity, and talents. It is hard after reading this book not to see referees, not to see referees who face impossible and contradictory demands of the game, as the heroes of the spectacle" - David Goldblatt, author of The Ball is Round.
"Refereeing is not about being liked, but about being trusted, and trust is hard to earn, easy to lose. This book understands that" - Slavko Vincic, 2024 Champions League final referee.
"Loving football from the perspective of someone who enforces the rules gives you a different way of seeing the game. This book captures the complexity of an often-criticised role and the emotional weight that referees carry. It shows the human being behind the referee – their emotions, his fears, and joys" - Marco Guida, Champions League and Serie A referee.
"An important and deeply human portrait of referees ― crucial in a football culture increasingly shaped by suspicion and conspiracy theories" - Carlos Clos Gómez, Director of VAR in La Liga.
“The Impossible Job delves deep into the emotional rollercoaster that is refereeing, revealing the demands and challenges faced by referees at all levels like never before” - Anthony Taylor, Premier League and Champions League referee.
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The venue:
The Blue Monk is a sanctuary for artists and fans who are tired of flashy gimmicks and London’s soaring prices. They focus on what actually matters: local decent beers, a welcoming atmosphere, and a "music venue done properly" ethos. Whether you’re a jazz purist, a blues enthusiast, or looking for the next big indie or rock act, you’ve found your local.
The Blue Monk has step-free access at the front and an accessible disabled toilet. The event takes place on the mezzanine, and there is no lift or alternative access, other than the staircase. If you have any questions about accessibility, please email hello@stanchionbooks.com