One of the most stressful messages a manager can receive is simple: "We don't have a referee yet".
A fixture is approaching, players are ready, but there’s no official confirmed. That usually leads to last-minute calls, scrambling and a lot of uncertainty.
Centre Circle was built to reduce that kind of pressure.
The Problem
In grassroots football, referee availability changes quickly. Illness, work commitments and clashes mean some fixtures end up without an official.
When that happens, managers or club secretaries are left frantic. They post in group chats, message contacts directly or rely on word of mouth. It’s reactive and often rushed.
The closer it gets to kick-off, the harder it becomes.
How It Works
If a fixture hasn’t been assigned a referee, Centre Circle allows managers or club secretaries to advertise it a few days before the match.
They can list the fixture as needing:
- A referee
- Assistant referees
- Or both
There are more than 30,000 referees using Centre Circle to manage their appointments. Within the app, they have access to a feature called Spare Games. This acts as a live jobs list, showing fixtures near them that do not yet have an official.
Referees can browse available matches and apply for the ones that suit them.
Managers and club secretaries can connect directly with the chosen official through Centre Circle’s chat system.
If the referee is under 18, their parent is automatically grouped into the conversation. That ensures communication remains clear and safeguarding compliant.
All confirmation of details stays in one place.
Why This Matters
Finding a referee should not come down to luck or who you happen to know.
By creating a structured way for fixtures to be advertised and applied for, the process becomes clearer for everyone. Referees can pick up extra games that fit around their availability. Clubs can secure officials without exhausting multiple avenues.
It reduces last-minute stress and helps matches go ahead as planned.
If your club has ever struggled to find an official, explore how Centre Circle connects managers and referees in one place.
