RateTheRef

One of the more elusive referees

Went to Chiswick County School, as did Dennis Brady & Reg Paine

Officiating as of Staines from 1958 in Surrey/Middlesex area

F.L. line 65-6 & 66-7

F.L. Ref 67-8 & 68-9

Possibly worked for Rio Tinto Zinc

Back as referee with Surrey/Middlesex 71-75

But where and when was he born?

I was a fellow Surrey referee in the 1970s and I recall Ken's name in the County Handbook although I do not recall meeting him in person. His brief career as a referee on the FL came to an end after he effectively handed Watford promotion from the Third Division after awarding a 'goal' from Roy Sinclair v Plymouth in April 1969 which never came close to crossing the line after rebounding from the bar. One decision doesn't make for a bad referee, but his decision in this case certainly didn't help. A Google search of 'Old Watford' confirms in the match profile that Ken worked for Rio Tinto Zinc and was a chartered accountant operating at a senior level, having previously been at Sandhurst and in the Services. His linesmen were P Johnson of Catford, South London, a schoolmaster who was about to emigrate to Canada and a 'Mr Lane' of Horsham (no initial given) who was a managing director of an electrical company and who (I recall) ran the line on occasions at Selhurst Park. Scenes at the end of the game show Watford players celebrating in the dressing room after the game, with champagne and fags in hands. Those were the days!