Rothman's Football Year Book 1999-2000

"Viewpoint" this year comes from top FIFA and Premiership referee, David Elleray. Subtitled "To err is human, to forgive is divine", Elleray makes a plea on behalf of all referees, claiming they are held up to standards which are unrealistic at best and plain stupid at worst. He also makes a convincing case for shunning instant replays to aid decision-making: Some competitions are trying two referees rather than one, on the Premier League we will be wired up to our assistants and, one day, referees might even become full time. But if anyone believes that this will produce perfect decision-making then they have lost touch with reality. Do we expect Alan Shearer to score every time he shoots simply because he is a consummate professional paid a huge salary? And if his salary was doubled would he then be expected to win every tackle, pass perfectly every time and score with every shot? Of course not! Well such unrealistic expectations should not be made of referees. Claiming electronic aids to judgement would interrupt the flow of the game and still not guarantee accuracy, Elleray is backed up by the editorial team at Rothmans, who claim the idea of professional referees is "illogical" since it would involve paying the same officials more money. While there is obviously great sympathy for this position, with all the money tied up in football as we approach the next millennium, one has to wonder if it is only a matter of time before the officials also become hostages to large pay packets and increasingly unrealistic demands.

Whatever the outcome, perhaps less controversial is the Football Writers' Association's choice of five Manchester United and five Arsenal players for the Rothmans fantasy XI. With the 11th place going to a Spurs player (who also took the player of the year award) and a seat on the bench reserved for Harry Kewell, the stunning young Australian from Leeds United, the top two teams in the English Premiership in 1998/1999 otherwise dominated the proceedings. And no prizes for guessing who won Manager of the Year!

If the usual review of the season and new 10-year form guides for English League clubs don't give you plenty to get your teeth into, then the Milestones Diary for the 1998/1999 season will. Remember the shameful day Leeds United were held to a goal-less draw at non-league Rushden and Diamonds in the FA Cup? Or the day former England manager Glenn Hoddle finally admitted he'd made "a serious error of judgement" and left behind his reported 350,000 salary? And who could forget those two extra-time goals at the Nou Camp stadium on May 26 that put Manchester United in the football history books when they became the first English club to win the Treble? All in all, an eventful season expertly captured in a fantastic book. --Lucie Naylor