In an interview for a podcast that has sent out media releases to preview it’s publication later today Willie Collum has claimed that he never came into refereeing to be in the media spotlight.
With a style modelled on his Lanarkshire Mentor Hugh Dallas, Scotland’s current number one referee has given the impression over the last decade that his only interest in football is as a vehicle for publicity and attention.
His dismissive attitude to any contact with players is clear in every game, being kind he could be described as being aloof.
Racing in to make dramatic gestures such as the sending off of Ryan Christie at Livingston characterises Collum’s style of refereeing since his first major blunder when he awarded Kirk Broadfoot a penalty at Celtic Park while having his back to the incident.
With the endorsement of Dallas, Collum was fast-tracked through the ranks- enjoying match fees of around £900 a match in the SPFL Premiership plus around £5,000 for European appointments. Plus, generous expenses.
In an exercise of self-pity, The Sun reports Collum saying:
I’ve thought about quitting lots of times. My wife has said to me maybe it’s time to give it up. That could be down to the stress being too much.
I never came into refereeing to be in the media spotlight. I don’t think referees should have a profile where it’s some kind of celebrity status. That’s up to the players and managers as they are the entertainers. Referees are there to do a job.
I’ve had some difficult times and you do worry about the negative effect it has on your own well-being and the wellbeing of your family. Who does a referee turn to for support? It can be very lonely. Yes, we have got colleagues we can turn to, but it can often be your wife you turn to on a Saturday night.
During the December League Cup Final Alfredo Morelos committed seven fouls without being booked by Collum. The Lanarksire official also missed off the ball stamping incidents on Jonny Hayes and Chris Jullien by the Colombian striker.
The suspension of football has hit referees hard with no match fees since the first half of March.
