How Paul Cooke inspired ex-Super League referee Ian Smith to write book promoting mental health

Ian Smith, who refereed 300 Super League games, is successfully raising funds for charity - after inspiration from former Hull FC and Hull Kingston Rovers half-back Paul Cooke.

Judas, the book by Cooke and broadcaster Adrian Durham, includes details of how the former Hull FC star controversially made the move across the city's divide to Hull KR in 2007. Smith called time on his refereeing career in 2010 after being abused by spectators in Hull following his sending off of local Hull FC hero Lee Radford for punching Ryan Bailey in a crucial end-of-season encounter against Leeds Rhinos.

Now, Smith is bringing in funds for State of Mind Sport - which promotes mental health - and the Oldham branch of Parkinson's UK with his book My Final Whistle.

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Smith explains: "The book was a suggestion from Paul Cooke. I've refereed Paul many times both in the black and white and the red and white. And I loved refereeing him. He would challenge you at times but always in a respectful way. Of all the players I've refereed, Paul was well up there in the knowledge of the laws of the game. Any time he asked you a question it was always coming from a knowledge of the laws and policies. It wasn't just shouting for a decision for the sake of shouting, like one or two would.

"I read Judas and I just thought 'wow, what a great book' so I messaged him to thank him for the signed copy he sent me and to say I really enjoyed the book. And he suggested me writing an autobiography because people might want to read it. He said no Super League referee had ever wrote a book and people might like to know what it's like."

With local rugby league writer Mark Chestney helping with publishing the book, Smith tells his story. "The reason why the book is called My Final Whistle is because my last-ever game was Hull FC versus Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2010 season where I sent off Lee Radford for punching Ryan Bailey," Smith explains. "I didn't see Ryan elbow Lee. Unfortunately when it was shown on the big screen - and there was a big crowd at what was called the KC Stadium - the locals, to say the least, were not very happy. And I got that much abuse during and at the end of the game that, by the time I got home, I had just had enough. I quit."

The book goes into his career which has taken him around the world, as he explains: "I was very lucky that I came into Super League when (ex-referees chief) Greg McCallum was looking for someone to come through in the late 90s and he just saw something in me. I talk about going to Lebanon - with what's going on in Beirut at the moment that is quite poignant - and I also refereed in Russia, France maybe 80-plus times, and Australia and New Zealand. And also the way that I finished with the RFL with the way they restructured the department. And then working with State of Mind. And my journey to where I am now, as a consultant with the referees, coaching one Super League ref a week during the season."

In this interview, Smith recalls many trips to Rovers, saying: "It was always a vociferous crowd at Craven Park. They let you know what they thought of your performances. There were the likes of Stanley Gene who I refereed, it's been an honour to referee some of the great players. Coming out of the tunnel was always a great atmosphere. It was always interesting coming to Rovers."

On what referees face these days, he said: "In this generation the referees are more in tune with social media. When you read some of the tweets towards the referees it just beggars belief that people would, one, write that and then, two, press send. No wonder there's a shortage of referees and recruitment and retention is difficult.

"It was a taboo subject, it was seen as weak if you spoke about your feelings and emotions. We are trying to break down the stigma, the barriers, and celebrate and enjoy good mental health.

"Referees are human. They make mistakes, like players, like coaches, like journalists, like fans."

Discussing who he is raising funds for, Smith says: "State of Mind started after the suicide of Terry Newton. I work with a guy called Jimmy Gittins. Jimmy broke his neck playing and he is a quadriplegic and most inspirational bloke I have ever met. We travel the length and breath of the country from rugby league clubs, to football, to prison, to rail, every sector going, promoting the importance of looking out for mental health. And also celebrating when it's good. We are trying to promote that when life is good, let's celebrate it.

"Also my partner was diagnosed with Parkinson's 20 months ago and we go to a local support group in Oldham and they are tremendous, they are so supportive of her and me as well. They run loads of stalls to raise a few bob to keep the branch going. We have a fitness person come in and then there's renting a room so there's quite a lot of costs just to keep the support group going and they are forever running fetes to make a few bob so I thought, if I can try to donate off the back of the sale of the book, that would be fantastic."

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