Richard Knight is looking for a few good men.

Like the US Army, Knight, as the newly elected Bermuda Referees Association, is seeking reinforcements, although their 'battle' is the seven-month grind of the local soccer season from September to March.

He is also looking to create a more positive atmosphere for officials to operate under, which in turn would offer incentive for others to come out.

"My mission hasn't really changed just by becoming president," began Knight, in his first major interview since becoming president, "I'm looking to recruit some new referees, as well as try to put a positive spin on them, rather than have the focus be on all the negative that's been going on.

"I think one of the main things is to try and cut out some of the negative talk about referees. About how referees have to go through this, and go through that. People already know that, and we don' t need to keep publicising the negative.

"We need to start informing the public that there are some positive things going on with the referees, and hopefully that will encourage them to come in. But as long as we keep preaching this negative about football, people are not going to want to officiate."

The new president added that there was much to be gained by an individual in adopting the role of referee in terms of character, social and professional enhancement, but that any applicants need first and foremost be looking to give rather than receive.

Probably more so than all others connected to sport, officials must have a genuine love for the game and thick skin, especially with all the abuse they tend to receive.

"I think it's made me more of a person, refereeing," said Knight, who was forced to sit out much of last season due to a broken leg. "I've had many good times, met some good people in refereeing, become friends with a lot of people, and some would say a lot of enemies as well.

"People that referee generally want to give something back to football, rather than get something out of it for themselves, and what we're looking for are people that have the time, the desire to do something for football, not a person that comes out here to make $50 for a game, or ask how much will they be paid.

"To be quite honest, most of the referees that do it, do not do it for the money. I mean, a cheque is good too, but they do it because they like football.

"I think number one is that you have to have thick skin, and be a person able to accept criticism, whether constructive or not. You have to be able to weigh the difference between fair and not fair, be of good character, although referees develop good character over the years, say 'no' when you have to say 'no' and say 'yes' when you have to say 'yes', be firm, but fair."

Last year saw the BRA, then under the leadership of Lyndon Raynor, take strike action over various issues with local clubs, most regarding the lack of security for referees, with football consequently held hostage for two weeks until certain concessions were made.

Knight noted that such issues remained a top priority for him, but that they were willing to work with the clubs toward having them effected, although he did not rule out similar action.

"It's unfortunate that the issues last year caused us to withdraw our services, and I believe all the referees regretted doing that," said Knight. "But it came to a point where we felt that it had to be done, and were truly sorry for the inconvenience.

"Some of the issues have been dealt with, some haven't, and I realise some clubs are not in position to provide these changes that we requested, but we will continue pressing the BFA and affiliates to implement these things and I think this is what will encourage people to come out and referee too, to see the clubs doing something.

"The security is definitely the number one priority, not only for the referees, but for the spectators and players, so we will address that again. Secure changing facilities for the officials, secure entrance to and from changing rooms, crowd control during matches with spectators a certain yardage away from fields, those are the things we will continue to have worked on.

"I'm saying now that I hope the clubs will now look into the issues raised last year, and try their best to implement them this year."

Contrastingly for Knight though, this year will see his view largely as a spectator, as he reiterated his commitment to staying retired as announced at the end of last season.

Still, he said he would be willing to "help out" on an infrequent basis if need be.

"I said I was going to retire from active refereeing, which means that won't be refereeing matches, but I want to be involved in the Referees Association," he said. "I've been involved in the Referees Association since 1985, and I want to continue being involved with the referees."

Picture: Referee Richard Knight watches a player get treatment during last season's FA Cup Final.