The Man in the Middle Paperback – October 20, 2016

If you like big-time soccer, you will love this book! Webb is funny and entertaining - and also shows how difficult it is to be a ref. And although he never says it, his stories about errors he regrets and descriptions of the difficulties of his job add up to the most eloquent plea for VAR (video assistant referee) that I have heard. Entertaining and informative - but I do still yell at the TV when the ref makes an outrageous call. Barça fan.

I’ve read several soccer referee autobiographies and by far I enjoyed this one the most. Great insight from the pitch and behind the scenes, as well as nice human interest element as well. And Webb does not seem arrogant or a self promoter like some of the other authors I’ve read. Highly recommended for anyone interested in refereeing or just high level soccer in general.

Every young soccer referee should get and read this book. Webb is terrific not only in storytelling and namedropping but in showing how he dealt with adversity. Even the best have very bad days. This is an important book if you want to get over your bad days (justified or not) on the field

Great book!

Excellent!! I particularly enjoyed Mr. Webb's reflections on the process of his being selected to referee during the World Cup tournament. Very well written.

A great read for any soccer referee.

good product

I loved this book! An amazing insight into refereeing at the highest level. Would highly recommend.

I may have pushed my rating to 4 stars if the book didn't have 15% worth of index at the end, I think this is a way of filling up space and should be discouraged. It was a fairly good read though, Howard Webb seems to be honest and when he is not being restricted in what he was allowed to say by the GGMOL he gives his honest opinion. Amazing to read how this man who showed confidence and alway looks in control before blowing a whistle to start a football match actually suffers from a form of OCD and what he needs to control before entering a pitch is something that only a few can understand, well done Mr Webb for raising this mental problem. It is a tadge sad however that a professional sportsman cannot seek help during their career without the thought that it would be detrimental to their career. Overall worth reading just to understand the world of referees

A genuine and well-written account of the career of an elite referee. Howard Webb doesn't mince his words and gives interesting insights into the environment of the top referees.I would have liked to read more about his way up the ladder from non-league through lower leagues before breaking into the Premier League, this part was a bit short on detail. Nonetheless a very enjoyable read.

A fairly interesting read for football fans. I am a bit uncomfortable with referees being given or assuming celebrity status ,so that tempered my enjoyment to a degree. Having said that,to get the "refs" eye perspective on major football events and incidents such as the 2010 world cup final, and the Patrick Muamba incident, I did find interesting,and looking at soccer generally from their perspective was enlightening.

As a retired grass roots referee I can relate to Howard's early years in local football and how he describes having to combine work with fitting in games.Working a night shift in Warrington then travelling over to Tadcaster to inspect the pitch prior to an afternoon fixture to confirm the go ahead then go home to Leeds get a couple of hours sleep prior to being picked up by your match referee and travel back to Tadcaster prior to another night shift!My only criticism would be Howard's references to refereeing at grass roots as the pressure applied to referees by amateur footballers is greater due to the exposure of top officials week on week out.The laws are the same at whatever level you referee at and that should not be forgotten!If it wasn't for those in the middle the game would not what it is,today.

For any fan of football, there are plenty tales and references to well known characters within this that make it an interesting and enjoyable read. As biographies go, this provides a decent insight into the world of elite level refereeing and of course the man who reached the summit of the profession. Really enjoyed it and for the download price it was an absolute bargain.