Damon hangs up his whistle
"I hope that in some small way I have left a mark in the football books."
Veteran South African referee Jerome Damon has called time on his illustrious refereeing career to pursue other interests.
He has also relinquished his position on SAFA’s National Panel of Match Officials.
Damon, who made his refereeing debut in the 1996/1997 season, informed the South African Football Association (SAFA) on Tuesday that he would hang up his whistle following an 18-year stint in the middle.
“After a very long introspection, prayer and consultation, I have decided to call an end to my active duty on the SAFA national panel of match officials after having first made my rookie appearance in the 1996/7 season,” said Damon in a statement released by SAFA.
“I have certainly enjoyed every single moment of serving on this county’s highest panel as, first, an assistant referee and then, as a referee. I have made many friends along the way and cherish numerous memories – certainly too many to accurately document here. But the most memorable one is being able to represent South Africa on many international tournaments around the world, the climax of course, being the 2010 FIFA World Cup, right here in South Africa.
“I want to thank everyone involved in forming my refereeing career from my late dad through to every assessor and commissioner (locally and internationally). I especially want to thank the SAFA President and the NEC for rubber-stamping every opportunity that I was given,” said Damon.
The Capetonian referee concluded that he will now focus on other aspects, but hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the pitch.
“With the ending of one chapter, comes the opportunity to write another. I do believe that there is still a lot for me to do in the refereeing world and I look forward to the next challenge, the next opportunity to serve. Football has left an indelible mark on my life and I hope that in some small way I have left a mark in its books,” he concluded.
Damon was Referee of the Season in the 2004/05 and 2008/09 seasons. He was also stand-by referee for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and had the pleasure of refereeing at the 2010 World Cup on home soil.
