SIR – Re the letter ‘Orange card plan has to be a good idea’ (Worcester News, November 8).

Why bring more rules and regulations into the game of football?

Surely the best thing to do is to get the players and staff to support the referees more.

I would like to know how many people would take on a referee’s job, it’s a thankless job. In rugby you don’t see players pushing their faces into the referee’s face, they know better.

The trouble nowadays is that players only have to be tackled and they fall over and start bleating to the ref.

I played in goal for several clubs in the Worcester League from 1948 onwards and enjoyed my football.

We played with a leather ball, large football boots and when the heavy tackles came in – especially on the goalkeeper – you just got up and carried on with the game.

Today’s game has gone soft.

If a player opens his mouth, send him off and fine him, then ban him for a month.

That will bring the game back to its senses.

And, no, I didn’t take up refereeing when I retired from the game. But I did have respect for the refs.

MALCOLM WALFORD
Lower Strensham