Famous referees from Donny...

[scunny rover]

Still got my 10p coin which les hayes gave myself and lee rogers when he was the ref in the under 10s final

[idler]

mutleyrover wrote:

My dad used to be an official in the top division back in the 1980s. He mainly ran the line but did end up refereeing a few games in the top flight.  Used to referee at the lower levels, particularly conference.

The Rovers used to call on his services for early pitch inspections at Belle Vue, to save the referee having to travel if there was no chance of the game being on.

Is your Dad Mick Kilby by any chance? If so I remember him at Bridon back in the eighties where he used to tell me stories of his refereeing exploits.
 Was very unlucky not to get higher in the game by all accounts.

Mick was a good mate of mine, BB. Until he took up reffing, he was a Rovers fanatic, at most games home and away. Him and Trev Smart from Bentley were always scrapping with away fans.

You're right about him being unlucky not to make it to the Football League. I think he made it to the Alliance Premier League, which was a forerunner to the Conference League.

I remember at Halifax once a large group of their fans ran round the pitch to have a go at the Rovers fans behind the goal.
An old special cons table climbed over the wall and copped for their skinhead leader.  By this time Mick was at the wall telling Rovers fans to chase them back.
They were turning round and running back once their leader got stopped. I think that was the day we lost 4-1.

[Donnywolf]

.....he was a very nice bloke though I should add.

.... getting on for 5 years since I posted this


I remember when Ernie Crawford was a "famous" Ref (and from Donny of course). He was at a Match on Toll Bar and my dad pointed him out. I wanted to get his Autograph and was watching his every move

Finally I saw my chance and pounced - can I have your Autograph please - "well he said I have been asked in some strange places but never while I was in the Toilet" . He had a point !

And when I say Toilet I mean something not quite as good as York City !

[Jimmydee]

Just an aside. The premier league referee Jonathon Moss lives in Leeds, apparently he’s well into his music and has a record shop in Headingly, it’s call The Vinyl Whistle.   That’s a great name.

[aidanstu]

Alf lived just around the corner from me on Parkway North in Wheatley; I remember him
being a really kind, warm man who used to drive about in Princess.

I was only ever reffed by Alf once and him shouting “play on” whilst doing a theatrical gesture with his arms.

I’m really sad to hear he has passed away; does anyone know when this happened?

[ch-ch rover]

Are you Dave by any chance

[WarwickRover]

Are you Dave by any chance

I’m Dave!

[Goole Rover]

Anyone remember Tony Topham , he was my next door neighbour in Rosso.

Had many stories about his refereeing career ,including games at Anfield and 

UEFA games in eastern Europe .

Used to run us around in his dodgy mini to local games .

Sadly , he is no longer with us .

Sorry to learn that Tony has passed away. He his services were indeed called upon at Belle Vue when the official linesman went down injured, he of course had his bag with him. The thing that I will always  remember was that he always had his Dad with him when officiating.

[ch-ch rover]

Hello Dave, Brian Fenwick here I remember going to Middlesborough and Hull 65ish with you and your Dad when he was running the line I hope you are well and covid free Regards Brian

[WarwickRover]

Best goalie Hawthorn Juniors ever had


Sent you an email

[ch-ch rover]

Thanks for the compliment that email is old hat you can get me on brianfenwick@slingshot.co.nz or fenwickrovers@gmail.com

[BobG]

Warwick, ch-ch; the chap who was headmaster at Hawthorn while you were there: was he a shortish chap with one hand missing? I can't for the life of me remember his name but he was once extremely caring and helpfuil to my sister and I. I'd like to remember him properly if I can.

Thanks

BobG

PS Warwick: if your username suggests where you live then you might find a ghost of me about the town. Used to get pissed there fairly regularly in the mid 70's. Lol. And Kenilworth and Leamington...

[ch-ch rover]

Mr Ward was the headmaster Bob

[ch-ch rover]

Bob the guy with one hand had something to do with junior football he was not at Hawthorne that i remember maybe Plover

[BobG]

Hi again ch-ch. No. It wasn't Plover. My Dad worked at plover the vast majority of his working life. The guy I'm thinking of was definitely never there. I wonder if I'm confused between Hawthorn and Nightingale schools?

Anyone know the name of the Head of Nightingale - if he had one hand missing?!

Cheers chaps

BobG

[WarwickRover]

I remember the headmaster you are on about, scared most kids on first sight.

He was a decent cricketer

Definitely head of a school in the Wheatley area, can’t remember his name or the school but can recall him

Apologies not much  help really.

[BiargeBob]

Mr Ward was the headmaster Bob

Mr Ward was also my headmaster at Hawthorn. His son, John went to Doncaster Grammar School & then went to work for Yorkshire Bank & gave me my first bank loan. 

[BiargeBob]

Best goalie Hawthorn Juniors ever had


Sent you an email

I would question that  :. Did you play in the Black & White stripes? I still remember the day when we got that new kit, thought we were world beaters, unfortunately Park Junior School & Bunny Brown thought different.

[BiargeBob]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Great bloke was Sid as were his two sons, I also lived nearby, I think Peter, his eldest, was a year older than me.

[WarwickRover]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Great bloke was Sid as were his two sons, I also lived nearby, I think Peter, his eldest, was a year older than me.

yes Pete is my elder brother

any clues please as to who "BiargeBob" is?

[WarwickRover]

Best goalie Hawthorn Juniors ever had


Sent you an email

I would question that  :. Did you play in the Black & White stripes? I still remember the day when we got that new kit, thought we were world beaters, unfortunately Park Junior School & Bunny Brown thought different.

Hawthorn played in black and White stripes aka West Brom from back in the day (I think)

[scawsby steve]

Best goalie Hawthorn Juniors ever had


Sent you an email

I would question that  :. Did you play in the Black & White stripes? I still remember the day when we got that new kit, thought we were world beaters, unfortunately Park Junior School & Bunny Brown thought different.

Hawthorn played in black and White stripes aka West Brom from back in the day (I think)

Just a bit of pedantry, Warwick. West Brom's stripes are navy blue.

[EasyforDennis]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Great bloke was Sid as were his two sons, I also lived nearby, I think Peter, his eldest, was a year older than me.

yes Pete is my elder brother

any clues please as to who "BiargeBob" is?

Hi David how are you? 

[BiargeBob]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Is that you Barry?

[WarwickRover]

Best goalie Hawthorn Juniors ever had


Sent you an email

I would question that  :. Did you play in the Black & White stripes? I still remember the day when we got that new kit, thought we were world beaters, unfortunately Park Junior School & Bunny Brown thought different.

Hawthorn played in black and White stripes aka West Brom from back in the day (I think)

Just a bit of pedantry, Warwick. West Brom's stripes are navy blue.

Lol! Everyday is a school day!

[EasyforDennis]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Is that you Barry?

It sure is. You going to give me a clue who Biarge Bob is? 

[BiargeBob]

Sid was a linesman and a great bloke. Dry as old boots. As a kid I lived a few doors away and was mates with his two sons.

Is that you Barry?

It sure is. You going to give me a clue who Biarge Bob is? 

 Tony S. I hope you are well.

[WarwickRover]

Tony S……. got me …… where did you live …… Newmarket, Aintree ? 

[BiargeBob]

Tony S……. got me …… where did you live …… Newmarket, Aintree ? 

Aintree Avenue mates with Barry F & John A. I am a year younger, I think, than Peter.

[WarwickRover]

Yeah got you Tony, older than me younger than my brother. I can remember Tony, Barry and yourself knocking about together as teenagers.I think you all went to the same grammar. My brother keeps in touch with Richard L, lived next door to ourselves on Newmarket

I trust you and yours are safe and well. Best wishes

Regards

D