Sir, – Further to Richard Holden's letter (September 5th) on referees and umpires, here in the UK many of those who arbitrate on the field of play are often confronted with vile abuse, verbal intimidation and physical aggression, not to mention widespread ridicule from the red-top press. As if that wasn't enough, there are moves afoot to get cricket umpires to don protective body armour to reduce the chances of them been hit and injured by a flying cricket ball. Who in their right minds would voluntarily subject themselves to this lunacy? – Yours, etc,
FRANK GREANEY,
Formby, Liverpool.