Putting aside the obvious partisan loyalties, can I draw your attention to this ridiculous outburst about women referees from Mike Newell.

In short Newell wants a ban of women in "top flight football", although one could argue that this still wouldn't effect his club who are struggling in the bottom half of the Coca Cola League Championship.

Here is an example of Newell's attitude towards what he sees as the abilities of the fairer sex:

"This is politically correct tokenism. She should not be here. I know that sounds sexist but I am sexist. It is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesmen we have, start bringing in women and you have real problems."

Whereas if you keep neanderthal men with retrograde views in positions of power in the modern game, everything will be much better.

What century are we living in exactly?

Surely we can all accept that men can be equally good at refereeing/officiating as men. There is absolutely no reason physically, intellectually or mentally why this should not be the case.

I've read a number of articles on this spat this morning and the most interesting is in The Sun. Ridiculous quotes from Ron "Chopper" Harris saying it "doesn't seem right" having women officiating and "they just don't belong, they look out of place and that is the biggest problem"...before not adding that it's OK if they want to be cheerleaders in short skirts and low cut tops because at least they will look pretty.

The Sun suggests 5 "light-hearted" reasons why women would/wouldn't make good referees.

Good:

1. They are always right.
   
2. Men would mind their language.
   
3. They would be a calming influence.
   
4. They never lose an argument.
   
5. They always have the last word.

1. They can't stand the sight of blood.
   
2. They'd get lost on the way to the ground.
   
3. They'd add injury time for breaking a nail.
   
4. Matches would kick off 30 minutes late.
   
5. Players would trip over their handbags.

I've always been very supportive of women being more involved in sport and football in particular. I have to say my mum knows far more about football and the offside rule than most men at the football do - and many women are keen followers and players in the grassroot game. Why should someone who is a brilliant referee be stopped from officiating because they don't have a penis?

That's what it comes down to.

I've been officiated by women officials, and although I'm not a professional footballer, I have played to a high level and have never had a problem with the abilities of women officials on the pitch.

You can point to specific instances where a woman ref has made a blunder - like here - but I could point you to several male officials making incredible inexplicable mistakes. Take our local ref in SW Herts Graham Poll for example. Did he make all those mistakes because he is a man? Of course not.

Women's football is far better than men like to give it credit for. I've watched quite a bit having had girlfriends who were fairly good at the sport and have known a lot about the intricacies of the game (not Gemma obviously...as I've pointed out before she is an Arsenal fan!).

But if you want a good example of the contribution women have made to football in this country then I give you Cissie Charlton.

Cissie ran a football club in her local community which gave us some of the country's best ever players. Single-handedly coaching, training and guiding two of England's best young footballers from an early age.

Bobby and Jackie Charlton went on to be 1966 World Cup winners - but it was Cissie who trained and nurtured their talent, something both of the legends pay tribute to. Yes, she was their mother, but it was undoubtedly her who gave them their footballing knowledge and honed their skills.

I suppose Mike Newell and Chopper Harris would laugh at Cissie because she never played top flight football like them - but frankly, I'd rather listen to her views on the game than theirs.

Luton, punish Newell now. Thanks.