Question Number: 23690

Appearance 7/19/2010

Walt Heatherly of Hendersonville , TN USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23682

I failed to include the shoes in question so here they are: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4102886
From your previous responses (for which I am very thankful for) I would assume that these would be in order but...
Thank you and your site is a blessing to the soccer world.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Everyone has their favorite brand, but you've posted a predominantly black shoe with a white logo. They look professional (keep them clean and shined) and would be appropriate in my area. Note: when you are seeking to advance, it is the opinion of those (assignors and assessors) in your region that matter.

I worked with a young man a few years ago who kept shoe cleaner and polish in the trunk of his car. At the end of each match day, he cleaned and polished his cleats before heading home. Five years later, he was wearing a National referee badge. IMO, that was not the result of the polish on the cleats. Rather, it was the polish in his attitude as a professional. His shoes confirmed it.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Heatherly
These shoes IMO meet the requirement without any difficulty as they are predominantly black and allowance is made for the manufacturer's logo. "" Black Shoes (may have white manufacturers design) with black laces"
In fact it is difficult to acquire a pair without the manufacturer's logo. I have in the past removed logos with a blade as there can be no debate about the matter then and I believe the shoes look better anyway with logos removed. Having said that some are part of the shoe and cannot be removed easily.
The important part is that the black shoes are clean and that the referee is presented in a professional manner. A clean pair of new shoes as shown does that IMO.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

walt, we had an overzealous assignor many years back that insisted the shoes be completely black and it took me months to find what I needed. I have since worked 100's of games in all black cross-trainers. I have a nice professional pair for higher level games but most name brands carry an all black cross-trainer and usually you can pick them up on sale in the $25-$30 range. I usually buy 6-10 pairs at a time