Whistler ready for big time after Junior Cup final

Jun 3 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

THE mark of a top class football referee is that you never notice them throughout the duration of a game.

And that was exactly the case on Sunday when former Wishaw Press reporter John Beaton took charge of the Citylink Scottish Junior FA Cup final.

A scan through the national newspapers on Monday morning would testify to this, with his name barely mentioned in match reports.

As reported in last week’s Wishaw Press, the 27-year-old Jerviston whistler will become a Category One referee next season – a role that will see him in the firing line taking charge of Scottish Premier league matches and lower division games.

His last appearance at junior level was at a sun-baked Rugby Park in front of more than 8000 fans as Auchinleck Talbot defeated Clydebank 2-1.

“It was a great day and it all went well,” Beaton recalled this week.

“I enjoyed the occasion after I got used to the heat!

“It’s unusual to referee when it is that hot but it made the day even more enjoyable.”

“With over 8000 fans there the atmosphere was brilliant and added to the occasion.”

He added: “It was a great way to end the season and a day I will never forget.”

After the match Clydebank chairman Gordon Robertson had no qualms about the result and was full of praise for the man in the middle.

“I think the referee is entitled to feel satisfied with his performance,” he said.

“He handled the match well and came into the dressing room before it to let the players know if there were any goal celebrations not to run into the crowd or to take off their jersey.

“But he did it in a humorous way and the guys got the message.

“There were a couple of decisions that we felt should have gone our way but they were minor ones. That happens at all levels of football.

“On the basis of that performance he clearly deserves to make the step up.”

Referee Beaton did not feel the need to dish out any cards during a match played in good spirits – something Robertson praised, adding: “I think the fact that in such a high stakes match he was able to keep the game flowing and not book anyone is a credit to him as well as the two teams I have to say.

“He has got a good reputation and we wish him luck. Hopefully at our level we can find someone who can replace him.

“A good referee is essential to a good match.”