The Lads are off to Richland College to referee soccer matches today for the Dallas Cup international youth soccer tournament. They were dubious at first, but now they’re glad they gave in to our pleas to go heavy on the sunscreen all weekend. They’re only as pink as a medium-rare T-bone.
Speaking of steaks, when they finish tonight they’ll be feted at Chubby’s Restaurant for a free steak dinner. When they had breakfast there last week, they impressed the Chubby’s folks as fine and friendly fellows and were invited back for a meal on the house tonight.
At a reception Saturday night, the Lads were introduced to Dallas Cup volunteers, board members and corporate sponsors and welcomed as honored guests. They also met veteran FIFA-level refs and received pointers and tips from officials at the highest levels. You’d have thought they met Sir Paul McCartney.
In previous years when referees stayed with me, I noticed that the Lads, while delighted to be here, began missing friends and family about now. These days, they just load their photos onto their Facebook page each evening and catch up with their buddies (or girlfriends) back home. This photo shows the entire group of English Lads, all staying in LH homes, visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards. They ate it up with a spoon.
