Darren Wilson

🚦traffic light attendant at Network Rail. Level 5 referee for KCFA. Interested in railways, aviation, hiking & photography. 🐈🐶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

A quick visit to our Medway Valley offices earlier today…
42 weeks after fracturing my ankle & unstable broken fibula which required surgery to repair, I’m pleased to say, I’m back on the roster full time from next week pulling levers doing my little bit in keeping Kent moving

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@quack_attack23 I used to think the same working at an airport. Now when on nights, if a bird starts to chirp as the sun rises, it’s for breakfast!!! 🤣

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@martinbullock23 And without knowing it, you’ve referred my son twice this season. Only been to see one of his KYL leagues as couldn’t face being near a pitch after my injury.
But what a game to finish the season with

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@jayGills74 If they’re happy doing blocks, let them crack on I say 🤣

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@SteveWhiteRail Starting to feel very old. Remember watching the first networker arrive in Gillingham on test as a teenager.
And been lucky enough to signal them down the Medway Valley last year too.

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@quack_attack23 Hopefully it’ll have calmed down a bit by then.
Although I found an ingenious way of not having to deal with RHTT’s, SITTs or low adhesion…… smash your ankle and break a leg and have the winter off. Wished I could go back to work now as I’m bored and miss being SG’ed 😆

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@DaveWeb93044940 @jayGills74 @GBRailfreight @WyverLane @Dominic_Noades Aggregates use Allington. Not sure but don’t think East Peckham Tip has been used in a fair while. I know DCR were looking at starting a service from either Tilbury or Willesden in to East Peckham but after a couple of driver training runs, don’t think anything came of it.

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@jayGills74 @Dominic_Noades @Se_Railway Fair enough. I’ve been off sick since end of August so not seen a WON since then but guessed it was T3 related…. Just the wrong line 🤦‍♂️🤣

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@Luke4152 Swollen, battered and trying to get used to having a plate in your leg to hold your ankle together will take some getting used to both mentally and physically.
Not started with weight bearing yet

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

Absolutely gutted. Ironic it’s World Mental Health Day.
Today I was told I’ll never be able to referee another football match due to the length of time and rehabilitation needed following the injury sustained refereeing.
Qualified in October 1992 and still had plenty to give.

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

Oh man. I need to get back to work. Missing clearing signals and annoying/waving at drivers down the Medway Valley.
Almost 6 weeks off and at best another 4/5 weeks to go.
My cocker is off being “quiet” somewhere in the house, so Harold has come to give me company instead

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@S26PHY Stay strong and just be you. No one can perfect all the time. Sadly it’s just the way cess pit social media has gone. I’ve found since the first lockdown, everywhere has gone to 💩.
Just remember to be kind to yourself and don’t worry what others think!

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@Luke4152 Going to be a long slow process. Still in pain. Still quite swollen. Will need a boot fitted in 2 1/2 weeks.
Then it’s on to rehab and physio before I can even contemplate getting back to work. Slowly going insane with the “strict elevation” advice

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

4 weeks today I broke my fibula and fractured my ankle refereeing a football match
Can’t work. Can’t go out. Can’t go on holiday with my family. Can’t do anything.
Feeling really pissed off.
No contact with outside world other than texts.
I’m bored and I’m just done

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@jayGills74 I’ll swap the toothache with you. Been off for 3 weeks already and won’t be back in my box for (at a guess) another 4-6 weeks.
But sounds like a hell of a shift. It’s never just 1 thing it always ends up in multiple incidents.

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@markweath Yeap. Know that feeling well. Something else that struck me was I’ve not heard from the other 2 officials either.
More I think about it, more my decision to walk away now sounds more logical

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

Feel absolutely broken. Broken my ankle at football and apparently it needs surgery but only after the swelling has gone down.
So staying in hospital until then.
Well, that’s potentially at least half a season wiped out and probably no work. 😭😡😔

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@markweath Was tempted to go to rugby as my daughter still plays but my son switched to football. But given the injury, the abuse and the fact I’ve not heard from anyone, reckon I may not go back and just walk away

[Darren Wilson @darrenref1]

@markweath Thanks mate. Not heard from county and had confirmation from the league they’ve closed my dates for the next 6 weeks and that’s it. But hey, I’ve only been loyal for the last 33 years.