Barnet club captain Lee Harrison told Radio 5 listeners this afternoon about the success of the players' initiative with only the captain talking to referees - just two cautions for dissent since August - and said he saw no reason why others should not follow suit.

The much-aired Bees' initiative, which has received world-wide coverage on radio, TV and in the Press, followed two years of FA fines for poor discipline and two red cards and eight yellows in the first week of this season.

Adam Birchall suggested to Harrison that something should be done - and the initiative was started. Now the Football Association has begun a grass-roots experiment on the Barnet lines.

"It has worked for us and made a difference", Harrison told 5 Live. "We were lucky that we went off on a run of 10 games unbeaten, which made it easier, but when you have a small squad you can't afford to lose players.

"I have never played in a game where the referee has changed his mind - in addition players lose wages when they are booked for dissent and the like".

Footnote: The Barnet players have not exactly been goody - two -shoes this season in other areas and, after Jason Puncheon was sent of earlier this month, the players committed to no more red cards this season.


Dennis Signy