BEING a red-headed umpire has led to Phil “Bluey” Forsyth copping more than his share of unwanted advice.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But it’s never deterred the central umpire, who lines up for his 900th game this morning.
Yesterday morning Forsyth was up at dawn checking lambs on his Tarrington farming properties. Today he will be running around Hamilton’s Melville Oval, umpiring the top-of-the-table clash between under 18 Hampden teams Hamilton Kangaroos and North Warrnambool Eagles.
The 65-year-old rates himself a “week-by-week” umpiring proposition — but he’s probably said the same thing since breaking his leg playing with Hamilton Imperials more than 40 years ago, which first prompted him to take up umpiring.
“I started umpiring when I was 21 or 22,” Forsyth said.
‘‘Before that I was playing with Imperials under Bob Johnson, who was a legend in VFL footy playing with Melbourne.
‘‘I broke me leg. I’m only a little fella and I’m a better umpire than I ever would have been a footballer.”
Forsyth said he had about six years off umpiring — four of them coaching kids’ footy — and spent time on the Western Border league tribunal while still a selector on the umpires’ board.
Dwindling umpire numbers in the early 1990s prompted a return to active duty and Forsyth has been back on the field ever since.
“I’ve always enjoyed it. The Western District umpires only have half the numbers now we use to have,” he said.
“I don’t worry about those blokes on the other side of the fence. If you hear them you’re not concentrating on what you’re doing.
‘‘I’ve done a few Mininera league senior games this year and really enjoyed it,” he said.
Forsyth said highlights of his career were umpiring a VFL practice match at Coleraine between Fitzroy and Collingwood, as well as Western Border interleague games.
South West league and Mininera league grand finals also rated high among his achievements.
“I’ve met a lot of characters along the way,” Bluey said.
‘‘Things have changed a lot.
‘‘In the 1970s we had one umpire and the 15-metre penalty — now we’ve got 50-metre penalties and yellow and red cards.
‘‘Umpires have a lot more ammunition now.”
The veteran whistleblower said the changes had been for the better and the rule book was still the same, although the interpretations may change from year to year.
“I umpire on how the boys want to play. If they want to play footy then I’ll let it flow.
‘‘If they want to scrap I’ll protect the man going for the ball.
‘‘If you follow those basics you don’t have too many problems.
“A push in the back is still a push in the back and I like to protect the bloke going for the ball.
‘‘I’m fortunate to have umpired a couple of times with my son Brent. He’s captain-coach at Harrow-Balmoral and may take up umpiring after he’s finished playing.”
Forsyth said umpire associations were all desperate for recruits and he urged past players to take up the challenge.
“It allows you to keep interested and part of the game.
‘‘There’s great camaraderie between the umpires, it’s just like a footy club.
‘‘I’ve met a lot of good people over the journey, it’s great to be involved and to keep fit.”
Forsyth said he was sure he would enjoy today’s spotlight, even if he was sure it meant there would be even more unsolicited advice from across the boundary than usual.
But that’s umpiring, he said.
“I’ve been called a red-headed so-and-so a lot of times. I love umpiring and I’m looking forward to it just like I look forward to every Saturday.”
