Three local branches of the Kent Referees’ Association have welcomed the Kent Messenger Group’s own Don’t Blame The Ref campaign.

Medway branch secretary Peter Curran said: “By running their own campaign, the Kent Messenger Group will raise the profile of the FA’s Respect programme locally.

“Hopefully, it will encourage more local leagues to sign up because the paper will give it plenty of publicity – which is what Respect needs. Clubs who sign up should be aware that Respect also covers the behaviour of spectators as well as players.

“The FA are attaching a great deal of importance to Respect and it’s imperative they follow through. But I do wonder if their definition of grassroots football is the same as ours.

“For me, grassroots is park football, the local leagues. Leagues who sign up must be prepared to take appropriate action against offending clubs when called upon.”

Bernie Cheeseman, secretary of the Gravesend branch, who recently retired from refereeing, added: “I welcome the Kent Messenger’s stance on this issue. By signing up for Respect, leagues are duty-bound to deal firmly with those clubs who persistently offend. But will they?

“Everyone at the grassroots level of the game will now be watching to see what impact Respect makes. With their strong support, via the Don’t Blame The Ref campaign, the Kent Messenger Group are making sure the relevant issues are widely publicised.”

Maidstone branch secretary Steve Taylor said: “The Kent Messenger Group are giving the game’s problems a truly local focus. As a branch we welcome their involvement because people who play the game – young and old – need educating.

“I often wonder whether those who play have ever bothered to read the rules of the game. We can’t go on with the levels of abuse aimed at referees.

“I had a young referee reduced to tears through abuse from the mother of a player and on another occasion I had to step in and separate two mothers who were fighting on the touchline. The game doesn’t need that.”