THE levels of football indiscipline at grass-roots level throughout Hampshire are on the increase again.

In 2002/03 the Hampshire FA dealt with 16,112 offences - a five per cent increase on the total they recorded in 2001/02.

The amount of cautions, red cards and disrepute hearings are all up on the figures of 12 months ago, and so are the number of players suspended after being booked five times.

In all, over 100 more red cards were brandished in 2002/03 and almost 500 yellow cards.

Last year the county FA had recorded a slight drop in indiscipline levels from a figure of 15,361 in 2000/01 to 15,318 recorded in 2001/02.

Hampshire FA chief executive Lawrence Jones admitted the new figures "are of course a concern" and insisted the main responsibility lies with clubs and players.

The breakdown of the 16,112 cases basically fall into two categories.

1)Fouls by a player against a player - ie, a bookable or sending off offence.

2)Foul and abusive language by players or club officials/spectators against match officials.

Jones believes little can be done about the former, but is determined to see an improvement in the latter.

"Clubs must take much greater responsibility for the welfare of match officials, both on and off the pitch," he said. "I had 400 matches last season that I wasn't able to appoint a referee to due to the fact we are so short of match officials.

"Clubs are always the first to complain if they don't get a referee, so they must do all they can to protect the referee when they get one.

"They would do well to remind themselves of what it's like when they don't get a referee. A lot of clubs do take care of the officials, but there's always room for improvement.

"Clubs and players must remember that referees are there because it's a hobby and they enjoy it. They are just doing their job to the best of their ability and are not there to be abused."

Jones' message to the ranks of grass-roots clubs in the county comes in the wake of a case of a young referee calling a Wessex League reserve match off after finding his shoes full of urine at half-time.

The case, which involved a match between Wimborne and Bashley, was dealt with by the Dorset FA but was thrown out due to a lack of evidence.

"It is a big disappointment the culprit was never caught," said Jones. "The sort of thing is totally and utterly against what the FA stands for.

"But it does show how important it is for the clubs to ensure the welfare of the officials."

In tomorrow Daily Echo: How clubs can help fight indiscipline.