Stuart Dougal

20 Questions

Thanks to the increasing media awareness, referees are more in the public eye than ever before. They play a major role in the game of football and in this section we shall provide a not-too-intrusive insight into the lives of our top officials.

We start with this year's Cup Final referee, Stuart Dougal. Stuart is one of our leading officials both at home and abroad and he has given us some of his views on the man off the pitch.

Stuart is on the mend after a serious health scare and his contribution is doubly welcomed.

Date of birth: 6/11/1962

Height: 5' 10''

Weight: 11 stone (70kg for the younger readers!)

Profession: Corporate Recovery Senior Manager, KPMG

First ever match: I can't remember however, my first senior match, as referee was E Stirling v B Rangers in August 1993

First international match: Wales v Jamaica in March 1997

Career highlights: Scottish Cup Final 2004; Euro 2004 (4th Official); Inter Toto Cup Final 2003; 7 Old Firm games as referee


What does being a football referee mean to you?

It is obviously a large part of my life. I am involved in my favourite sport and at a level I could not attain as a player. Mind you, I could probably have been a manager because that must be an easy job. It appears to be that it's referees who make it a difficult one!!

Why did you become a referee?

I literally fell into it! I broke my back when slipping on ice, in a simple accident when I was 21 years old. After I recovered, I was not up to playing again. A friend of my father, Joe Kelly, who had been a top ref in the sixties suggested I try it.

Would you want to become a full-time referee?

Sometimes it feels as if I am! No, I think it is better to have a serious distraction away from the game and, anyway, I would be too old to change. It may interest some of my younger colleagues though.

Any pet hates in football?

Yes, a few! Players who try to get opponents yellow or red carded or dive to “win” a decision (sometimes with serious consequences for a fellow professional) annoys me. Another is managers who blame referees to deflect from their, or their teams, own failings.

What Law of the Game would you change?

The automatic caution of a player who takes off his shirt when celebrating the scoring of a goal. I would like this to be at the referee's discretion because a lot of the time it is not inflammatory.

The most difficult Law to apply?

Offside as it is sometimes almost impossible for the Assistant referee to properly judge it. Yet, despite everyone knowing how difficult it is, AR's still cop a lot of abuse!

You're best memory in football?

I hope it has still to come! So far though, it has to be last year's Scottish Cup Final. The build up, the day of the match and the celebration afterwards with some colleagues and their wives helped make it a fantastic memory. Euro 2004 was also a great experience as well.

Other sports or hobbies?

Keeping fit and spending time with my children take up most of the precious free time I get.

Your main strengths?

I think loyalty, honesty (sometimes brutally so!), having a sense of humour and being friendly most of the time would be what others would say

And main weakness?

Sometimes I see the funny side of things too often. Also, having to have the last word, strongly opinionated, frowning too much (well so my children say) and using in appropriate language are enough to be going on with. Oh, did I say having to have the last word?!

What's in your car CD player?

I have a multi changer so I can choose from Rod Stewart, Gabrielle, Soul Collection, Soft metal, The Love Album and hits of the 70's at the moment.

Beer or wine?

Wine and plenty of it please! Champagne or an Australian Shiraz are my favourites.

Favourite film?

I'm not a real TV or film fan but detective stuff such as Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood in their enforcer roles are great. I think they were frustrated refs!

Tastiest food?

Most things spicy with Indian and Mexican being my particular favourites.

Favourite holiday destination?

I like going to where I am guaranteed hot sunny weather with an excellent hotel and facilities.

Luck or judgment?

It is both in relation to my wife! Good luck in meeting her and real judgement on how to keep her happy!! Seriously, in relation to refereeing at the top level it is probably luck because, generally, we are well trained on how to judge most situations. The luck can come in a number of ways e.g. being in a good position to see a difficult call (hand ball, ball over the goal line etc).

Dress up or dress down?  

Generally, I like smart to formal. However, around the house I like to have on sporting leisure wear(but no team colours, honest!).

Whom would you most like to meet?

Rod Stewart (again) but to have more time to chat with him and share a bottle of champagne (or two) with him while he is handing over my Lottery Rollover winning cheque. I have been lucky through refereeing to have met many footballing superstars

Ambitions?

To see my family raised in good health and have sufficient wealth to keep them comfortable (but not spoilt) and to be in full time employment so that I can retire at 60.

Any advice for young referees?

Keep strong, learn from your mistakes and enjoy a privileged position in a great sport. It can be a thankless task but the rewards, in various forms (travel, friendships, financial and fitness to name but a few) are great.