One should pay tribute to the linesmen because they undertake their work in savage conditions of snow and cold, even in a normal winter.
I have been warned somewhat carefully for suggesting that the referee was visually challenged, and that a linesman needed a white stick.
But who would be the accommodating linesman, or the referee?
I also extend our thanks and congratulations to the emergency services—not least the linesmen who put themselves at particular risk to restore power.
They will be the linesmen on a football field, watching the players and seeing that nobody puts the boot of anarchy into skilful negotiation.
It is true that the blocking of the motorway vitiated early attempts to ship in large numbers of linesmen to reconnect supplies.
Linesman represents a considerable step forward, and it would be wrong to underestimate it.
It would be a real tragedy if these proposals resulted in seven-a-side football, with five linesmen and a referee.
