Christmas, Chanukah, Festivus? are soon to arrive. What is on everyone's wish list? Me? New Yellow long and new socks. Boring I know... p.s. My big toe is all of a sudden peaking out of my expensive Adidas Predator cleats, but I but my own shoes...
I'm going to ask my kids (23 and 21, 21 yo was a ref) for an OSI warm-up suit. Probably the red, white, and blue one. There might be better warm-up suits out there, but the RWB OSI seems to be the standard. They usually have a holiday sale... The only new style jersey I have is ss red. No green. My ss yellow is getting faded, so that might be on the list. If I get something for myself, I might get one of those Noda whistles. Being the only referee in the area to have one would be worth the high price.
I have the Noda - prefer my Fox 40 Sonik Blast CMG. OSI already has a "Holiday Specials" section on their website. There's a red and blue warmup suit for $79.95 (regular $94.95).
I have a hard time finding shoes because I have kinda wide feet. The kangaroo leather is really soft and I think that makes them work for my better. I've only tried them on in the store though. We'll see how they really work on the pitch.
The Umbros are still on mad sale at Eurosport. I've now got four pairs in boxes in my closet. http://www.soccer.com/Navigation.process?Ne=178&Srp=24&N=4294960675+331+572 To add to all the others I've bought, knowing I'll never find 'em again, or at that price!
Guys.....I got the Seiko referee watch two Christmases ago. It's expensive for a ref watch, but it is the single best item I have in my bag (bar none). It counts up, it has different half lengths, it vibrates, it has a separate added time button. It's great, and if someone was looking to spend money on you this is what I would ask for. It's the Seiko W772. And it is on the world wide internet at $145.00. I don't think I would spend that kind of money for a watch, but asking for it as a gift is okay, (I think!!!!).
About the only ref thing on my list is a new watch. Other than that the "standard" stuff: - socks need new ones every year - pack of report sheets for my book - possibly a new book, the red card has fallen on the ground twice without me knowing and players have given it back. Actually that's turned out to be fun, they like "giving" the ref a red card Don't have the green shirts, don't see needing them. Don't have long blue, but I wear short blue about 1 time a year. Maybe I'll add it just for fun. I'd love to ask for new knees, but don't see that happening. That alone could end up extending my career several more years.
I use the game cards at http://sjsra.org/resources.html. I'll print a season's worth on card stock (2 to a page) and have them cut at a nearby Office Max. The cutting is the biggest expense so print out enough to make it worth while. I can't say this is the least expensive way to get game cards, but I like this game card and like them on card stock. I'll use the printed side when Referee and the blank back side when AR. I like the data wallet at http://www.thewhistleline.com/accessories.htm#data. Its made form cordura nylon and doesn't crack like the plastic wallets. I've had mine for 4-5 years and it is still going strong.
-New style LS Red, Blue, Black -Maybe some new socks -Can't decide if I want the black warm-up pants since I have the jacket, or just the whole RWB warm-up. -Maybe some whistles, another polo... Mmmm, this Kool-aid tastes good.
I bought the last pair of 11.5 Umbro turf shoes. I was going to buy 2, but they only had one available.
Has anyone seen an NFHS polo shirt or other off-the-field NFHS gear? I do a lot of high schjool and it would be nice to have some non-USSF ref gear to wear to the field.
I envy you guys, I grew up in Memphis and usually go down for at least one of the GIT weekends to visit family and watch some good matches as a spectator (a rare treat), but sadly can't this year. Good luck and have fun!