RateTheRef

Please forgive this personal indulgence; but I am very sad to report that, after a long illness, Jeff died a couple of days ago at the cruelly young age of 63.

Known to some as "Jeff the Ref", he spent around 40 years as part of the refereeing family, starting on the council parks of South East London and rising to be a Premier League Assistant Referee officiating at Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and Highbury (among many others).  He almost made it to the National List, and was a damn good referee who had a rapport with the players that many (including me) envied.  He know the Laws and he also knew how to apply them using judgement tempered with empathy.

Off the Field of Play, Jeff supported the refereeing world as a Licensed FA Instructor, coach, match observer and mentor to many up and coming referees.  He was a founder of the Referees' Academy attached to Charlton Athletic FC - providing a "safe space" for many young referees to learn their trade and build confidence. 

Jeff - like many of his generation - had the view that if something was not as it should be to complain was not enough.  Action was required.  This led to stints serving on, and leading, many refereeing based committees and associations.  Jeff was also joint owner of A&H International, the leading supplier of refereeing kits for many years.

For many years, Jeff took his unique presenting style to RA meetings up and down the country and even occasionally abroad (well Jersey, but it counts!) and was entertaining and inspiring.  He had the view that any referee could "make it" as long as they really wanted to and was prepared to put in the hard work.

Above all, he was great company, he was my best friend and to say that he will be very much missed is the understatement of the year.  Jeff's wife, Fiona, supported him throughout his on-field and off-field refereeing career and could not have done any more for him as his illness gradually and wickedly took Jeff from her.

Rest in peace, Jeff and thanks for 38 years of happy memories.
Andy Legg
 

Had the pleasure of meeting him at one of our RA meetings. He was a very nice chap, exactly as Leggy described.

RIP Jeff, great bloke, wise old owl (or was it bald eagle 😆)

Worked with him a few times and saw him at events, usually trying to flog me something.

A pioneer in many, many ways.

My thoughts to his family and those who knew him best

RIP I remember him through ordering items from A&H international as a young referee.
Such a young age.

Was lucky to have known Jeff for over 30 years, through A&H as well as working with him on several occasions.

A lovely man who always had time to speak to you.

A huge loss to the refereeing community.

Thoughts with his family.

R.I.P. Jeff

Firstly, many thanks to the RTR contributors for their kind words and memories.  I have made Jeff's wife and daughter aware of them as neither are regular visitors to this site!

Jeff's family have set up a tribute page via the website of St. Catherine's Hospice.  It enables people to share their memories of Jeff and (only if they want to) support the Hospice's work.  There are some excellent  photos and a couple of stories which have brought a smile, even at this sad time. 

For those interested, go to: https://jeffpettitt.muchloved.com/

Thanks again everyone.

A poignant update on this thread.  Had he survived until the New Year, I am advised that Jeff Pettitt would have been recognised in the New Year's Honours list for his services to refereeing.  Sadly such honours cannot be made posthumously and more sadly, Jeff was not aware of the upcoming honour.

It would have been fitting recognition of referees in general and Jeff in particular.

I hope that there have been some members of the refereeing community recognised in the New Years Honours list.

So very sad that he never lived to get this honour which sounds like it was thoroughly merited, especially when as ever the list seems to be splattered with bit part actors, minor politicians and generous Tory party donors.