Interview with ref Dave Goodwin

Shropshire based Dave Goodwin is one of the most respected and popular referees in the EPL.  His ability to have a laugh and use common sense when refereeing games has won him lots of friends nationwide when he takes to the ice.  He even has his very Facebook Fan Club group on the internet, which currently stands at a 145 impressive members. In an exclusive interview with BIH’s very own Mark Duell, Dave talks frankly about his refereeing career and hockey in general.

 

BIH: So Dave, how did you get into ice hockey and was there a particular player you admired personally?

 

DG:  Well to be honest it all started when a mate from work took me to a game 19 years ago, and from that I started to play rec hockey after that.  I would have to say there was one player that stood out for me and that was a guy called Wayne Crawford who played for Peterborough, Telford, Swindon, Guildford, Bracknell and Basingstoke in his time in England.

 

BIH: So after this, what persuaded you to become a referee and when did this happen?

 

DG: I was watching a game and to be honest the referee was crap so I was letting know him this in the company of Blaine Evans and Andy Dalton (both who are referees).   Andy then turned to me and said there’s a level 1 refereeing course starting tomorrow and persuaded me to try it.  That happened about 16 years ago and I’ve been refereeing since then.

 

BIH: Do you have any outstanding memories of that first ever game?

 

DG: I started off like all referees doing Under 10 games and junior matches but my first ever EPL game was Telford – Guildford.  I was supposedly only to be linesman for the game but the designated referee pulled out and I was given the job of actually refereeing it.  To be honest I was really shitting myself but both sides played hockey and it went OK.  However, all games aren’t like that at all.

 

BIH: What's the most embarrassing moment you have ever had as a referee?

 

DG: I fell over 5 times on the same game and wished I had stayed at home. Also when I blew Bobby Haig offside when the puck was deflected and it shouldn’t have been in front of a big crowd in Blackburn.

 

BIH: Which is your favourite rink to referee at and why?

 

DG: Well there’s nothing like a game in your own barn so I’d have to say Telford but after that I’d say Manchester for the noise and Sheffield for the way it’s laid out and the facilities there.

 

BIH: And your least favourite?

 

DG: Bradford and Bristol but the folks I’ve dealt with there are great, it’s just that both could do with some money spending on them.

 

BIH: You've seen a few promising youngsters in your time as a referee, but who's the best you have seen this season?

 

DG: Matt Turner from Romford, he is a good kid and plays with a lot of heart and passion.

 

BIH: And the best import?

 

DG: Lukas Smital from Guildford is still for me the best guy in the EPL as far as imports are concerned.

 

BIH: Do you watch the NHL, and if so which team do you have a soft spot for?

 

DG: Yeah I do mate.  I follow the Chicago Blackhawks and have done for ages now.

 

BIH:  What ambitions do you have left as a referee?

 

DG: I would love to make the EPL finals at Coventry but I think at my age I’m running out of time.

 

BIH: Are you jealous of Joy Tottman refereeing at the Olympics?

 

DG: Not at all, Joy being there is great for British hockey and I am proud of the fact that with we have done games together as officials.

 

BIH: Finally, make us a prediction. Who will win the EPL this season?

 

DG: Well that’s the sit on the fence question, I think the normal teams will be there or thereabouts with the new teams in the league this year also making a show -  but if I really knew who was gonna win it I would be down the bookies now.

 

BIH: Many thanks Dave for your time.

• EL
• PL
• NL1N
• NL1S
• NL2N
• NL2S

• Adam Walker
• Alex Birch
• Andy Pierce
• Chris Gent
• Christopher Beal
• Craig Simpson
• Dave Simms
• Elliott Stanley
• Gareth Chalmers
• James Broughton
• James Gordon
• Katy Madgwick
• Luke Catterson
• Mark Briggs
• Mark Duell
• Mat Young
• Patrick Smyth
• Promotion
• Russ Morrell
• Seanna Murdock
• Stephen Dowson
• Stewart Roberts
• Tom Forster
• Vicki Smart
• William Lyon

British Ice Hockey

• About Us
• Advertising
• Contact
• Write for BIH

Elite League

• Belfast Giants
• Braehead Clan
• Cardiff Devils
• Coventry Blaze
• Dundee Stars
• Edinburgh Capitals
• Fife Flyers
• Hull Stingrays
• Nottingham Panthers
• Sheffield Steelers

Premier League

• Basingstoke Bison
• Bracknell Bees
• Guildford Flames
• Manchester Phoenix
• Milton Keynes Lightning
• Peterborough Phantoms
• Sheffield Steelers
• Slough Jets
• Swindon Wildcats
• Telford Tigers

Partner Information

If you are looking for the best online bingo rooms online, look no further! Here at www.123bingoonline.com you can enjoy of the best bingo games for free!

Only at the best online casino you'll be able to enjoy over 100 casino games for free!

Learn how to place risk free bets on any ice hockey match and convert online bookmakers free bet offers into guaranteed cash using the risk free matched betting technique.

All the online bookies best Free Betting offers and free bets.