A football club in the West Midlands Regional league has appointed a Christian referee as its new chaplain.
Bilston Town FC, which currently lies top of the West Midlands Division One, has taken on referee Mel Perry to look after the spiritual needs of the club’s players, youth team and staff, and to provide support for the many young people and families associated with the club.
‘There’s an awful lot of people connected to this club and by the law of averages things happen,’ said club chairman Graham Hodson. ‘In the current climate we thought having a chaplain would be an ideal opportunity for anybody who has got problems to come to this guy . Mel has been with the league for eight years, he is a referee, runs a youth club and has an affinity with the youngsters. There is a bit of a bond there already and so he seemed the ideal candidate.’
Mel Perry insists his Christian faith, and the gospel message of forgiveness, has no impact on the likelihood of an errant player receiving a booking or being sent off.
‘People know exactly where I stand,’ he said, ‘the laws of the game are clear and I give no special privileges because of what I do in the church. I’ve been refereeing for 20 years, and working with young people through youth club and football, so when Graham approached me for this position I accepted because it’s a way of furthering my ministry with young people.’
The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Revd Clive Gregory, himself a football fan, has endorsed the appointment and paid tribute to the work of lower-league clubs in the their communities.
‘It is just as important for a club in a lower league to have a chaplain as one of the more high profile clubs because, particularly here in Bilston, it is a big set up with lots of youth teams. There are lots of people associated with this club in one way or another and it is like a big family.
‘I think the Chairman should be warmly commended for seeing this need and identifying exactly the right person to fill it. I would love to think many other clubs will follow this example.’