The Referee on References: Lessons from the Premier League

Following on from our September piece, “The £125 Million HR Saga”, we felt it only right to provide a sequel.

And yes, Newcastle fans, we’re looking at you - or rather, your memes.

If you’ve been on social media recently, you’ll have seen endless jokes about refunds, player performance, and how apparently, £125 million doesn’t come with a satisfaction guarantee.

But beyond the memes lies a serious HR lesson: references matter. A lot.

Let’s talk Liverpool’s recent signing. Did they conduct thorough employment checks on the player’s previous performance or workplace conduct? Did they know exactly what they were hiring, or were the CV highlights more “aspirational” than factual?

Sure, it’s unlikely a former club would sing a player’s praises after such a dramatic departure, but that doesn’t absolve any hiring manager from their due diligence.

Obtaining references isn’t just ticking a box on a form. It’s about understanding work ethic, reliability, and - in the case of footballers - actual skill.

In business, just like in football, ignoring this step can be costly. Sometimes, a glowing reference masks underlying issues, and sometimes silence from a previous employer is more telling than words ever could be.

At Silver Star HR, we help charities and businesses avoid these kinds of “transfer mishaps.” Our team provides practical support on obtaining and interpreting references, checking credentials, and ensuring that what’s on paper matches reality.

We help leaders ask the right questions and verify information, so they know exactly who they’re bringing into their team.

Think of us as the referees on references. We ensure fair play, compliance, and transparency - before you commit a massive signing (or a new hire) that could leave your organisation in an unexpected offside position.

After all, no one wants a £125 million error in their HR strategy.

So next time you laugh at the latest Premier League meme, spare a thought for HR teams everywhere. The lesson is clear: even in football, and certainly in business, proper due diligence on references isn’t optional - it’s essential.

Silver Star HR: keeping your team goal-ready, compliant, and free from unexpected fouls.