Some people will know that if I can't get up to see ICT, my wee team is Whitehill Welfare in the EOSL. When we occasionally get a grade 1 ref like Willie Collum or Stevie O'Reilly, it's absolute luxury TBH. At these grounds you can hear their dialogue with the players and its obvious that they are far more competent than the usual grade 3 or (shudder) 4.
The exception is David Somers who has handled a good few ICT games in the past. He's pretty aloof and and just wants to be the main man, never mind whether he spoils the game.
A special mention for (recently demoted to grade 4) Paul Hanlon. A really decent bloke off the park but a total erse on it. Managers have to warn their players when he's in charge. Back in the autumn Whitehill under a new manager, had sorted out a few disciplinary issues and had gone 3 weeks without a single yellow. Enter Mr Hanlon, hey presto 6 bookings and a red, with the opposition reduced to 10 men as well.
An even more special mention for Willie Young who was speaking at a dinner I attended last year. Willie had a couple of years in the Ayrshire Juniors and got a bad knee injury. In his own words "since my own career had been ruined, I decided the next best thing was to ruin it for every other **** as well!"