As manager of Stockport County it is my intention to make a formal complaint to the FA regarding the performance of certain referees whose handling of matches and personal comments to me have created serious concern about their impartiality and ability to referee County matches in a true and fair manner. This matter of improper conduct will be reported directly to the FA.

I recently raised my growing concerns to Dave Allison at the PGMOL regarding what I consider to be a lack of integrity and impartiality by a number of referees towards Stockport County. I believe that referees we have reported negatively in the past are now not acting in an impartial manner when dealing with our matches.

Football League managers, under Football League rules and regulations, are enforced to report on referees. If we report openly and honestly about concerns, and name and shame referees, it is possible we face a backlash from disgruntled referees. Even more concerning is that we may become the victims of a concerted 'witch-hunt' for questioning the 'infallible' authority of referees and their association.

There have been many instances which have caused concern in the last eighteen months including:

Incorrect and improper sending offs.
Foul and abusive language from referees.
False statements made in referee's extraordinary incident reports.
False charges brought against us.
Inaccurate evidence given at FA Disciplinary Tribunals.

I tried to raise the important issue of referee integrity at a pre-season League Managers Meeting. This formal request was denied by the PGMOL, and subsequently I was not satisfied by the explanation for the item being omitted from the agenda. I raised my disappointment and concerns with the League Managers Association, but they are powerless to act on behalf of the League Managers.

Following these unsettling incidents in pre-season we noticed a worrying trend in the performance of referees, and the appointment of a number of referees for our matches. Evidence even emerged of extraordinary pre-match 'briefs' prepared for the officials of our match solely reporting on our team.

The whole matter came to a head last season when I was incorrectly dismissed from the dug out and then subsequently charged under an 'unwritten rule'. I was found guilty of 'improper conduct' on the basis of wholly inaccurate statements from all three witnesses - the referee, the fourth official and the referee's assessor. The FA representatives at the hearing acknowledged the fact that incorrect testimony was given yet no action was taken against the officials in question. What is of more concern is that on the eve of this match the officials in question had received a telephone call from the PGMOL.

I know I am not the only manager who has, or will raise, concerns about impartiality. The professional football management staff at County have lost confidence in Mr Keith Hackett and the PGMOL.

I feel I must raise this matter publicly so that County supporters understand my concerns, and my actions, when the match officials in question are in charge of our matches. I have become very defensive and protective of our club when I witness such poor practice by referees.

It is my intention to provide a dossier of evidence to the FA and call upon the FA to bring charges against several referees for improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute. Furthermore, we will be asking them to review the management of the PGMOL and the manner in which referee's are appointed for games.

We acknowledge the important role that referees play in our game and we must learn to respect the role of the match officials. In football, like wider society, we must learn to tolerate and respect all people if they conduct themselves with honesty and to the best of the ability. However, in life or in football, we cannot condone or accept people who lack integrity and we must make a stand against people who act in an improper manner.

I know these matters may lead to further problems for myself, and I will accept that fate. However, I hope that the majority of referees would see this action ultimately in their best interest. I have taken this course of action, not just for the benefit of Stockport County but for the greater good of the game, so that we can restore complete confidence in all referees. Only then will we have total respect for each other's role within the game.