REFEREES across the county are being urged to forge closer links with their local branches.

There are more than 1,300 registered officials in Kent, with around 1,000 regularly controlling matches, but attendances at meetings are dwindling.

Child protection awareness and criminal record bureau checks are now compulsory for all referees involved in officiating youth football but several have decided to give up the whistle.

One experienced referee who has quit reckons he knows at least 20 others, including two in the Southern League, who have done the same.

Kent County Football Association referees officer John Newson said: "I am aggrieved and very disappointed that some are choosing to drop out. I think they are doing it on principle, rather than the cost or time factor.

"It’s not much of a hardship considering how much they put in. A lot argue that they are not going to referee youth so why should they undergo a CRB course?"

All referees appointed since 2004, assessors and mentors have been required to take part in a three-hour workshop about child protection, and gain a certificate confirming their attendance. The deadline is December 31.

Referees have to produce either their driving licence, passport or birth certificate, and two other forms of identification, but Mr Newson points out that these checks can be completed in just two minutes at branch level.

He said: "I am one of 20 verifiers appointed in Kent and we can attend meetings, complete the paperwork, and forward it to the CRB office at the Football Association.

"I attended a Kent County League meeting recently and did seven, and completed another six at Gravesend last month."

Clive Jones, newly appointed retention and recruitment officer in Kent, has completed the required checks, but says he knows several who have given up.

He said: "It’s a great pity, and I think they thought their integrity was being compromised.

"The child protection package included several scenarios and situations involving youngsters in football, and I found some of them helpful and instructive."

Jones 65, a credit controller, has been refereeing for 39 years, nearly seven of them in Kent.

He officiates in the British Energy Kent County League as referee or assistant and added: "I enjoy doing it, and it takes away some of the tensions after a hard week at the office.

"Many also give up because they don’t want to take the abuse anymore. I would like to get them along to our meetings, talk through the problem, and hopefully change their minds.

"Leagues can help by not taking advantage of their referees, thinking they will turn out no matter what.

"My advice to anyone who enjoys football is go out there, and enjoy it. Make sure the players don’t take the mickey, and administer the laws as you see it."

He wants to attract senior and experienced referees who may have lost touch with their branches by inviting entertaining speakers, including top referees like Kent’s FIFA official Steve Bennett.

He said: "We get between 20 and 30 at our meetings at Medway, but others attract less than that.

"I am also trying to get branches to run a women only training course, because I feel many are put off, feeling it’s a male dominated sport."

Mr Newson added: "Numbers are down, and we could do with more. I’m absolutely chuffed to bits though, because we have got some very promising youngsters, I just hope they don’t get slaughtered."

Any referees who have any questions about child awareness or CRB checks can contact Mr Newson on 01474 536301 or 07771 862725.