Refs wear purple in bid to tackle abuse

Holmfirth, Rastrick and Clayton West were all close to the promotion placings at one time or another, so expect them to push Parish all the way. Promoted Denby and Marsden will be keen to establish themselves by maintaining their Cedar Court Conference form from 2018, while Skelmanthorpe have signed Joe Sykes and Josh Scott from Shelley in the hope of moving away from the lower reaches of the table.

Saturday’s opening Jedi Sports Championship fixtures: Rastrick v Clayton West, Lascelles Hall v Denby, Elland v Holmfirth, Marsden v Slaithwaite, Almondbury v Skelmanthorpe, Lepton v Mirfield Parish. REFEREES under the age of 18 in West Riding will be provided with a free purple shirt from West Riding County FA to wear on match days when officiating in the Huddersfield Junior Football League in the 2019/20 season, aiming to decrease abuse and increase support for young referees.

This season WRCFA have seen a 16 per cent rise in reported cases of abuse against U18 referees from spectators and a 9pc increase from players, while four-in-five young refs claim they have faced verbal abuse.

Hannah Simpson, WRCFA chief executive said: “Next season the purple shirts will serve as a visual reminder to players and supporters that referees are entitled to conduct their vital role of match officiating with respect and also that those under the age of 18 remain protected by safeguarding children legislation.”