Refereeing in Days of Yore

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Pleased to present a couple of new arrivals at PPP Towers, unconnected by source but both portraying the dark art of refereeing as it used to be.

Firstly, one from an Austrian agency, so with narrative in German, which shows "British referees" taking to the green baize to improve their refereeing theory. After this they were then shown "instructive movies". I bet they were! Image from March 1939.



Next, in May 1956 referee Alf Bond (aged 45) catches a bus from his Fulham home, briefcase in hand, making his way to Wembley to take charge of the 1956 FA Cup Final between Man City & Birmingham. And all with one arm, Mr Bond having lost his right arm aged 19 in a rubber factory accident.



Fascinating stuff and a vital and unsung part of our football heritage. If any referees are reading this, could they envisage doing either of these things today - with one arm, or two?

[pafcprogs]

They were still using baize like that in the eighties when I passed my exams under the expert tutelage of Alan Nathan

Best man management lessons of my life scranly 22 yo trying to control 22 grown psychopaths in the Basildon and District league...

Peter
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Currently disposing of my collection so please email any wants lists to [email protected].
Most Plymouth post 1959 but plenty of others including reserves, friendlies, Cup Finals Internationals and Club issues, handbooks and other sports.

[Wullie]

What a difference from todays posers who want to be the star of the show. The old saying is true. The best Refs are the ones you never notice.