Eirian Williams' 3rd WC Final

[Blondie]

Hi

............and it's nice to see that Eirian Williams will be refereeing the final, I believe his third final now.

Always found Eirian to be very professional in his approach, focussed, and considered. And wasn't aware that he left the police force to take up a new career as a ref. Interesting career change.....

And with Eirian's vast experience, and knowledge, looking forward to the final even more now.....

What do you think?

[Semih_Sayginer]

hes a great ref.

one of the best. loads of experience.

good on him....

[hegeland]

I've always considered him the weakest of the pro refs. So many times he's failed to respot the ball anywhere near its original position or respot a colour on the wrong spot. So many times he's looked and acted nervous in a crucial match situation. So I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed, although he is of course not that bad, just worse than the rest IMHO.

[Maija]

I quite like Eirian, but the respotting is really a weakness of his. Can't say I've ever seen him acting nervously, but if Hegeland says so, I'll believe it. At least he doesn't get himself into 10-minute discussions with the players of whether it is a freeball or not.

[Blondie]

hes a great ref.

one of the best. loads of experience.

good on him....

Hi Sem,

..........agreed, and always feel that the ref's have a very difficult job, and along with their vast 'technical knowledge', have to try and combine this with good inter-personal skills, whilst keeping 'neutrality' in their relationship with the players.

Not easy, and I applaud anyone really taking on this role.....

[Semih_Sayginer]

still think hes a great ref, and suppose thats why hes one of the top ones on the circuit.

we all make mistakes and arent comfortable in all situations, but those who determine refs obviously agree.

over the years hes been one of the best....going way back a couple of decades IMHO

[Blondie]

I've always considered him the weakest of the pro refs. So many times he's failed to respot the ball anywhere near its original position or respot a colour on the wrong spot. So many times he's looked and acted nervous in a crucial match situation. So I have to say I'm surprised and disappointed, although he is of course not that bad, just worse than the rest IMHO.

Hi Hege,

..........interesting comments, and Eirian's failures that you mention above, do you mean in reference to previous WC's? ..interested to hear more.....

[Nina]

I never noticed huge weaknesses in Eirian Williams. But here's a thought, if respotting is in fact an area where he doesn't do as well as expected, won't the use of the video cover that? And then he can be trusted for everything else? I'm sure he was chosen for a reason...

[PaulTheSoave]

I think they are all good refs (compared to football) and indeed his weak spot is replacing the balls after a miss. I have noticed it last time in Sheffield and at The Masters 2006. He did not have a clue where the balls were situated. It was a shambles. A good ref should be unnoticed, but still applying the rules to detail. Jan Verhaas for example stands very close to the players if they are on a shot. But they dont seem to be bothered by it. If I meet Jan this week, I will ask him why he is so close to the players when they play a shot. It has intrigued me for a couple of seasons now.

Video coverage is used actually. Verhaas has used it when there was a miss and a dozen balls flew over the table. (I remember it being The Masters 2006 or Sheffield 2006. not sure which one).

[Blondie]

Hi Nina/Paul,

.............interesting points on video usage: , and I'd also be interested in Jan's response as to why he stands so close to the players when they play a shot. [Must admit though, it always looks the right thing to do, at the time anyway, if that makes sense.. ]

Really like Jan too, knows his stuff, and v.professional, and considerate..

[Off to a meeting now guys, log-in later... ]

[PaulTheSoave]

Hi Blondie,

I can understand it when a player is down on the table and nearly touching a ball when leaning over a ball. But he also does it when it is a common shot. Personally I would be irritated if a ref would stand so close to me. (it will never apply to me though as I am not in the pro league).

I wonder what Alex Higgins would have thought about it. He was already annoyed with the ref if he was standing in line of the ball. He once asked ref Ganley to move, but he refused. Ended up in a barney! lol

[Cyril]

I remember him asking John Williams to move and he wouldn't ('94 v Doherty at the Crucible). Williams turned round and said "Dont tell me how to referee Alex, you play"

[ferret]

Nice one Eirian.

If I Can catch him before the final I will ask him a few questions if any of you have anything you would like me to ask him post the question up in this thread. I have already written an article about him and would be good to have some questions to go with it.

IF you didn;t know Eirians website is www.ProSnookerRef.co.uk designed by yours truely

[Semih_Sayginer]

no particular question from me ferr, but wish him all the best....please

[PaulTheSoave]

It was indeed John Williams. It was another incident with Ganley when he threatened him at a post match. Before he headbutted a journalist at the bar.

I remember him asking John Williams to move and he wouldn't ('94 v Doherty at the Crucible). Williams turned round and said "Dont tell me how to referee Alex, you play"