Ref revolution is wheely great

SAM ALLARDYCE last night gave the thumbs up to an amazing 'ref-mobile'.

The Blackburn boss believes the motorised two-wheeler will keep referees up to speed with the game's fastest players.

Watch the VIDEO HERE

Football authorities have been secretly testing the Segways - and they will be used in the Blue Square Premier next season.

With players like Theo Walcott, Gabby Agbonlahor and Aaron Lennon capable of incredible speeds, it is hoped this new innovation will help refs keep up.

Allardyce said: "Players are athletes and we can't expect refs to keep up with them for a full 90 minutes, so this gives them a real edge.

"We can no longer say the referee was nowhere near the incident because, with this, he will be.

"Finally refs and managers are listening to each other."

Top referee Mark Halsey said: "Not only does the innovation help referees keep right up with play it will also mean older, more experienced refs will not be lost to the game.

"It's easy to move it round the pitch.

"This could be the biggest move forward in refereeing yet."

If the experiment works in non-league, the idea will be put forward to UEFA for it to be introduced all over Europe.

The suggestion came up at a brainstorming meeting between refs and managers at the start of the season.

Invented in New Jersey in the USA, Segway personal transporters can travel at up to 12.5mph and are easily manoeuvrable with just a slight sway of the body in the direction you want to move in.

The next meeting of the UEFA Refereeing Congress is a year today.

VIA: The Sun