THE Thames Valley Football League could grind to a halt this Saturday with only four match officials prepared to referee its 32 fixtures, writes Anthony Smith.

The news follows what is believed to be a growing trend of indiscipline aimed at match officials.

Two matches - the Premier Division clash between Highmoor Ibis Reserves and Taplow United, plus the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup clash between Winnersh Rangers against Westwood United - were abandoned within the last few weeks.

The referee in the Winnersh Rangers versus Westwood United match was assaulted by a player who has now been excluded from the club.

And one leading figure at a prominent TVL Premier club says the time has come to take a stance.

The source, who the News agreed not to name, said: “We've seen two referees assaulted in the last few weeks.

“We all sympathise with the referees and I'm sure they have the full support of all clubs.

“Things have become so bad that somebody will get knifed or killed at some stage, I can see it happening.

“I don't want it to be us or one of our players.”

He added: “In my opinion the Thames Valley League and the Berks & Bucks FA haven't done enough.

“Some players have been kicked out of their clubs after what happened recently, but it's too late now.

“Referees get about thirty quid a game and they are probably thinking it's not worth the hassle.”

Out of the 32 Thames Valley League fixtures across six divisions scheduled for this Saturday, only four have official referees appointed in charge.

Those four matches are Berks County v Taplow United in the Premier Division, Westwood United Reserves v FC Imaan Lions in Division Two, White Eagles v Wargrave Reserves in Division Three and Goring United Reserves v Baughurst reserves in Division Five.

In stark contract, last Saturday saw 29 qualified referees take charge of 30 matches across the divisions.

The only match which did not go ahead had already been awarded as a walkover to the away team.

In addition, five of the league's cup matches also boasted qualified linesmen.

The source added: “I think all clubs  in the league should call off their games this weekend as a show of solidarity.

“The league has asked clubs to play games without official referees or use their own referees instead.

“But we certainly won't be playing and we certainly won't be accepting a points deduction or fine either. The vast majority of clubs feel the same.”

The TVL were keen to play down the rumours of a collective referees' strike this Saturday.

Referees secretary, Steve Cliff, claimed: “The majority [of referees] have prior engagements such as barbecues, Christmas shopping and Bonfire Night.

“A couple are due to have surgery, but hopefully they will all be back next week.”

TVL chairman Ken Clark said the league will be releasing a statement later today, but he does expect the majority of Premier Division fixtures to go ahead this Saturday.