REFEREES WHO NEEDS THEM

REFEREES WHO NEEDS THEM

 

HARRY JONES SHOWS ITS ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION IN A GAME AT BLIDWORTH MW FC

After a current conversation with a refereeing mate, Mr R of platform 1, surprisingly the subject of writing a blog on match officials came to the fore and having nearly as far back as I can remember taken an interest in the match officials it seemed like a good idea.  More so when I realised how many referees pictures I had from the non-league games of the last few seasons of touring around the country, this proved a challenge to get the selection down and so I have featured a lot of more local referees with a few other selected.

IT DOESNT START HERE ITS OFTEN MANY HOURS EARLY WELSH PREMIER GAME AT ABERYSTWYTH V BARRY TOWN UNITED AT PARK AVENUE

Many a name will probably spring your memory into action and of course there were so many when I recalled my days of watching football league action and then the natural movement of many now to enjoying the game outside the hustle and bustle and big money of the professional game.  Although I don't remember Jack Taylor from live games he will of course be many fans quintessential English referee from the world cup final of 1974 surprisingly enough his trade was that of a butcher.  During the late 1970s and early first few years of the 80s I cant really remember noting the man in the middle but from that era Pat Partridge, George Courtney and Clive Thomas spring to mind.  Indeed Thomas from Porthcawl had become famous in the world cup game of 1978 between Brazil and Sweeden were he blew for full time as a Brazilian header was about to cross the goal line from a corner kick and all the controversy that followed, Zico's header would have secured Brazil the win but Thomas had blown for time a second before.  The South Wales referee, nicknamed 'the book', certainly seemed to have a collection of disputes follow him around but so is the life of a referee I guess.  By the time Thomas retired I had marked down his final Football League game and managed to attend the fixture at The Victoria Ground for Stoke City versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.  I well remember a packed ground on a hot sunny day in the early 80s and I was partly there to see this famous referee officiate at the top level for the last time as well as witness a good local derby.

CHARACTERS ARE STILL THERE HERE IS BRUCE BASKERVILLE WITH HIS STRICTLY COME DANCING ROUTINE IN A HOPE VALLEY GAME AT ASHOVER.

As my interest developed probably helped by Match Magazine a weekly publication that marked all the players, referees and gave a star rating for the game, the referees became more notable and I'm sure they were assessed then but they seemed like more individual characters.  A few that cropped up on regular basis while doing the football league rounds were Don Shaw [Sandbach],  Joe Worral from Warrington ultimately memorable from the stands he always seemed an amicable chap and as was the norm in those days bright white boot laces wrapped under his black footwear,  Neil Midgeley from Salford was another one whose white laces were always noticeable. 

DERBYSHIRE OFFICAL JAMES OLDHAM NOW PROGRESSED TO THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE HERE IN CHARGE OF A EMCL FINAL AT BARROW TOWN

In the eighties the football programmes would carry small biographies of the referees and even list the town they were from nowadays of course there is very little mention of their role outside of football and it may just be a bland Lancashire FA for the whistlers location.  But in the old day it was David Elleray [Harrow] and I know straight away that has wound up many Chesterfield fans who will never forget his misdemeanours that denied The Spireites a place at Wembley in the FA Cup final of 1997.  Elleray's school teacher job listing and his balding head matched up many supporters generalisation of referees in the 80s 'bald and bloody school teachers', backing up the bald theory you can add Keren Barratt [Coventry], Robbie Hart [Darlington] and Roger Kirkpatrick [Sulcoates] from the 70s who had the most massive mutton chop sideburns but a thinning on the top of his head.

JAMIE O CONNOR KEEPING AN EYE ON PROCEEDINGS AT BASFORD UNITED

As the characters continued to come along to my football watching Roger Dilkes from Mossley was one of a small band of well one as a far as I can remember as a referee with a beard indeed even in the game facial hair was not too popular with Micky Droy of Chelsea probably its best and probably only proponent from the players.  The Northamptonshire town of Kettering gave us Brian Hill who always seemed to be well on top of his game and Sheffield has supplied a few top quality referees with Keith Hackett of course one its most noticeable.  Another amicable guy of the refereeing circle always seemed to be Dennis Hedges [Oxford]  I remember a game at Saltergate again in the early 80s when Notts County were the opposition with a special guest to be presented to the players Sir Stanley Mathews.  Only problem was the weather had sent masses of snow but Hedges allowed time for supporters to clear the pitch and we finally had a game on and a special guest to boot.

HERE IS SIMON KAVANAGH RUGBY OFFICIAL KEEPING UP WITH GOINGS ON FOR HEANOR TOWN MANAGER GLEN CLARENCE  IN A GAME AT BROCTON

Some of the even more noticeable characters in the referees kit now then and first up is Roger Milford from Bristol, as with all these if you cant remember them a little look round the search engine will find out more on them.  Up from the south west he always seemed a players friend jollying his way through the game with his tight and small shorts, although that was the style of the time, and with his trademark long flowing grey permed hair he looked more like a 70s disco lothario than a football ref, but all joking aside he was a good one and in the games I remember you always got an entertaining game that was allowed to flow well.

DAVID CONSTABLE LAYING DOWWN THE LAW TO LIAM GREEN OF PINXTON IN A CMFL CUP FINAL AGAINST HUCKNALL TOWN AT NORTH STREET ALFRETON



The interest was clearly ignited now and towards the end of the 80s along came one E.J. 'Jim' Parker, garage proprietor from Preston who was gaining a reputation for his usage of the colours yellow and red.  Indeed in one segment of his career he issued 9 red cards in 4 games and towards the end of that season had shown 86 yellow cards.  You certainly knew who the boss was when Jim was officiating indeed by now you could find out the referee at any specific game in the week before and as I was travelling if Mr Parker was close by I would take his game in.  There was an anticipation of some controversy with a potential overuse of cards however they were normally correct calls.  In the 88/89 season I remember seeing Lincoln City have 2 players sent off against Rotherham United at Millmoor and also in the new year of 1989 Sheffield United captain Paul Stancliffe was sent off in front of the kop at Bramall Lane after telling Mr P what he though of his linesman who had flagged to disallow a home side 'goal',as The Blades went down 3-1 at home to lowly Chesterfield, the Spireites did suffer Mr Parker's high card usage when they too had three players sent off in a game against Darlington at Feethams.   Having spotted the referee who was appointed you knew there would be something happen and so it turned out.  In the 1991/92 Parker was accused of swearing at West Brom player in a game against Stoke and was suspended pending an enquiry.  After that he seemed to go a little quiet but was a fourth official at Wembley in the mid 90s before I guess returning to checking the oil on a Ford.  Mr Parker did though remain loyal to football and worked for many years for Lancashire FA and only retiring from his post within the organisation in 2018. 

 

FIRST OF TWO APPEARANCES FOR DERBYSHIRE OFFICIAL SCOTT SPERING PROVING THERE ARE CHARACTERS STILL IN THE GAME

It remained unclear what brought this interest with the referees to the front of my football watching but during the decade I had also taken the referees course and had 'a go' at it but as we all know its far easier to referee from the side lines, mind you come 3pm we all still reckon we can do a better job in the middle but we still don't have a go.

ANOTHER FROM THE SAME GAME AS REFEREE SPERING HAD RETURNED FROM CLINTONS AFTER HE RAN OUT OF CARDS IN THE NOTTINGHAM DERBY FEATURING GEDLING MW V RADFORD

As times moved on we saw a collection of characters through Graham Poll, Mark Clattenburg and now we have the indescribable star that is Mike Dean.  My theory of assessors, observers as they are now known as, where driving the individuality out of the game but I guess that is what we asked for when as supporters we constantly cried 'consistency ref'.

THE EVER POPULAR ROB REES WITH THE VIP ENTRANCE AT GRAHAM ST PRIMS

Our referees have some wonderful names and I remember one set of fixtures which must have been around April Fools Day where the FA set up, as much as they could, linked in referees names along the lines of for a example Mr Butcher, Mr Baker and Mr Candlestick-Maker.  It was a great effort from an organisation not know for its frivolity.  Moving away from this era I cannot let go the best named referee in the top flight Ray Lewis of course from Great Bookham what could have been better.  Well maybe just maybe Justice Jacobs a wonderfully named referee who just a couple of years ago was meting out well justice to any miscreants in The Midland Football League.

LUKE LAZENBY ISSUES A YELLOW CARD WITH DERBYSHIRES OWN RICHARD RILEY CATCHING UP ON ADMIN IN AN FA VASE GAME HUCKNALL

Moving away from league football just came about a natural progression I guess as the non-league became more and more interesting with the closeness to the game and a better priced entertainment all things that were being lost in the professional game.  What would refereeing bring now and after a very first game in the late 1970s at Matlock Town most of my early viewing would be at North Street Alfreton and probably my first experience was The Reds against Leeds United in a pre season friendly with the West Yorkshire side having on show Neil Aspin and Tommy Wright.
But a bit of digression what about the referees well I was very fortunate to pop along to many new non league grounds as my interest in the level of the game expanded indeed with referee Nigel Smith who achieved the accolade of officiating in The Football League.  But of course before this there had been many wonderful trips on a wet night to some out post or other that is the lifeblood of our great game.  A blast from the past occurred when travelling with Nigel to a League Cup game in the north east for Hartlepool v West Brom and after the game in popped the referees assessor non other than George Courtney, you see they never give it up.  It was another example of the sacrifices early afternoon departure and return around half past one in the morning for the match official.

REFEREE ANDY WOOD HERE AT THE PEAK OF HIS GAME AT KIMBERLEY

Often one of the first their and last out its definitely a love of the game that drives on most of the officials and when you consider the travelling involved the higher up their promotions take them jobs and family become secondary in nature to them as they seek the ultimate goal.  I have been delighted to have made many friends around the refereeing circuit and not only got some superb lifts to games, but struck up some friendships that have proven this is what sport is all about plus the insight into their day is something I would recommend to any supporter of the game.

PEACEMAKER OR JUST BLOW THE WHISTLE YORK REFEREE NICK HAWKSBY AT LIVERSEDGE IN AN FA VASE GAME

Of course the characters in refereeing are still there off the pitch you can have a chat with them after the game and see that coming to the fore but as previously mentioned there is a push for uniformity and consistency on the field of play.  That doesn't mean to say though a few years ago that its disappeared I remember quite a few of the tougher variety of league players ending their careers in non league and there would be quite a few refs make sure they got them in their notebook for the old taxi driver conversation 'guess who I had in the back of my cab [book]'.

ROB REES AGAIN SHOWING EVERYBODY UP WITH HIS VAST PRE MATCH STRETCHING ROUTINE

Todays modern non league game has seen the now re-named assessor, observer, and I have to say this is obviously essential for referee development although as a spectator even though its always denied the person with the pad in the stand does influence the way they referee.  We have all seen referees who manage normally resort more readily to cards upon an observer being in attendance, but of course we cannot have it both ways when we cry consistency.  I have seen it from both sides and for supporters who cry out about referees poor performances they really should be allowed access to the observers thoughts and marks, with names redacted of course, this would give football fans a feel for what the officials have to do in a sport that most of them would like to get promoted in too just  like the fans club.

PROVING ALL THAT PRE MATCH WARM UP WAS WOORTH IT REFEREE REES IN A SPRINT AT MANSFIELD HOSIERY MILLS FC

The game is constantly changing non more so than with the laws receiving regular upgraded interpretations, guidelines and of course the recent sin bin sanctions which apply to the bottom two step structures and Sunday League football.  Along the way the game has seen a very small band of former footballers take up the whistle and progress to any level so I suppose much like us fans we can tell them how to do it but don't fancy it when the chance comes along.  The select band at the top level features former Chesterfield player Steve Baines and alongside the non-leagues representatives Matt Walsh former Alfreton Town player who rose fast through the levels although he soon moved onto assessing and in Wales Phil Roszkowski.

FORMER CYMRU ALLIANCE PLAYER PHIL ROSZKOWSKI SHIPS A MANAGEMNT OFFICIAL OUT OF THE DUG OUT IN A GAME AT FFLINT TOWN UTD

It looks as though that advancement has slowed but on the fast moving side the game now has a collection of female referees at all levels and the non league is seeing many develop their skills within it.

ALONGSIDE RAY LEWIS OF GREAT BOOKHAM FOR GOOD NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH REFEREES JUSTICE JACOBS IN A GAME AT STAFFORD TOWN



Along the way the last few years have furthered my interest in following the referee fraternity and as the blog developed so has the photos of the officials in charge who nearly always feature.  Having covered Holywell Town versus Aberystwyth in the FAW Cup in 2015 where I cheekily asked referee Mark Petch if I could take a picture of himself and the captains in the centre circle at kick off he was fine as long as I got myself off the pitch before the start of the game.  After I had contacted him too see if he would like some of those pictures taken telling him in the process where I was from he proceeded to say his sister lived in a little village close by and that I had probably not heard of it, as you guessed it was the same village. 

MARTIN BEARD BLOCK A PLAYERS APPROACH WITH THAT WELL KNOWN BARRIER THE WHISTLE AT STAMFORD

Many an interesting story have unfolded stood around on a Saturday afternoon leaning on the pitch side barrier and in 2018, once again in Wales, a FAW Trophy game Rhos Aelwyd versus Rhostyllen brought another interesting referee from the past into focus.  During the game a spectator in a Royal Mail delivery uniform started to berate the referee with comments about how he could not see that a foul that had just happened. to which the referee came back with 'I can see everything on here mind you [looking at his hand like an envelope] I've had a few letters delivered to the wrong house.  That referee was officiating on his own with no linesman as is often the case in some Welsh fixtures and his name Mark Bridges son of Ron Bridges [Deeside] but more interestingly in that all referees had double barrelled names with the latter being their geographical location.  Bridges senior was a Football League and FIFA official so  it was a nice blast from the past which showed up once again the refereeing connections. 



ALWAYS BE CLOSE BY THE ACTION REFEREE KELVIN WILSON AWARDS WHALEY BRIDGE A PENALTY AT HOME TO PINXTON IN THE DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP



So they are young and old officiating throughout the wonderful game whether its in The Premier League, non-league or in Sunday football league and without these men and women our game wuold not be taking place.  Yes there are still characters enjoying being part of the action and long may it continue as we seek to shout our advice from the side lines and they ignore our comments or maybe just maybe like Mark Bridges they will come back with an even sharper response in return. 

AND FINALLY GREAT RESPECT AS ROSS CRAWFORD REFEREES HIS LAST STAFFORDSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE GAME AT WOLSTANTON IN 2018 AGAINST EASTWOOD HANLEY.  A LATE WINNER SAW THE HOME SIDE CLAIM THE TITLE WITH A 2-1 VICTORY