ABOUT THE SCHEME
Who We Are
The RUJFC Referees (RMT – Referee Management Team) is a dedicated initiative by Ramsbottom United JFC designed to develop, support, and grow the next generation of grassroots football referees.
We provide young officials with the training, equipment, and ongoing support needed to confidently officiate matches, gain experience, and earn money within the game.
What The Scheme Is About
The RMT referee scheme was created to:
- Address the national shortage of grassroots football referees
- Provide an accessible, practical pathway into refereeing
- Develop confident, knowledgeable match officials
- Support referees with real match experience from day one
The course itself is a non-FA official referee course, delivered by FA-qualified referees with significant experience. Despite not being an official FA course, it is supported by Manchester FA referees.
Participants receive:
- Full referee kit and equipment
- Practical and theory-based training
- Ongoing support from experienced officials
- Opportunities to officiate RUJFC matches immediately
As outlined in the course overview, referees are deployed straight into matches after completion, helping build confidence quickly in real-game environments.
Our History
The RMT was established in 2021 at Ramsbottom United JFC.
- The first intake introduced around 15 referees
- These officials were immediately integrated into club fixtures
- Since then, multiple intakes have expanded the referee pool
- The scheme has continued to grow year-on-year, strengthening the club's officiating structure
The initiative was built to solve a real problem in grassroots football — the lack of accessible referee training — and has quickly become a key part of RUJFC's development pathway.
Where It Takes Place
The course is delivered annually at Top Park in Ramsbottom, the home of Ramsbottom United JFC.
- Weekend-based course (Saturday & Sunday)
- Combination of classroom and on-pitch learning
- Practical and theory assessments included
All training and delivery is centred at Top Park, providing a professional and familiar football environment.
The Team Behind The Scheme
Key Roles
Jack Nicklin – RMT Manager
Founder of the RMT and FA-qualified referee with over 10 years of experience.
Joshua Brammer – RMT Referee Development Officer
Leads referee development and progression, with strong on-field performance experience.
Giuseppe Liotti – RMT Logistics Officer
Oversees operational delivery and ensures smooth running of the programme.
Al Liotti – RMT Allocations Officer
Responsible for match allocations and referee scheduling.
The RMT is made up of committed volunteers who are passionate about developing referees and supporting grassroots football.
How to Get Involved
- Keep an eye on the website for live intakes to appear, with information to apply.
- For RUJFC Club Members, this information is emailed out yearly when The RMT are ready to accept applications.
