F.A. Chief Executive Brian Barwick has announced his desire to launch a pilot scheme at grass-roots level that allows only captains to talk to the referee. Perhaps he would like to come along to Underhill to watch Barnet FC in action. Since the second Saturday of the season, when the Bees had five players booked against Hereford United, the squad has been operating just that policy in League 2.

The initiative came from the players. Striker Adam Birchall put the idea forward to club captain Lee Harrison, who talked it over with Paul Fairclough.

The manager, who also, incidentally, works with The F.A. through the successful England C team, told Harrison: "Get it organised".

Since the players' initiative began at the end of August, Barnet have been unbeaten in six games and collected only one yellow card for dissent of the five that were shown in September. Contrast that with the first week of the season when the Bees had three red cards and eight yellows.

Harrison said: "Only skipper Ismail Yakubu can talk to the referee about decisions. Since we started there has been one isolated case of dissent, no kicking the ball away, no crowding referees ... it works for us. Just look at the results too".

Chairman Tony Kleanthous, who has been to the training ground to talk to the players about discipline, has complimented the squad on the startling improvement since the 'only-the-skipper speaks initiative".

Footnote: If Mr. Barwick wants to attend Barnet's next home game against Mansfield Town the kick-off is at 1 p.m. He could study the Bees in action ... and then get to nearby Wembley for the later England v Estonia Euro2008 qualifier.

Dennis Signy