RateTheRef

Sat 20th Dec 1986

Div. 1

Oxford United v Aston Villa

Keith Miller (pulled muscle 73rd minute) replaced by Geoffrey "Geoff" Pearson (Kingston, Surrey)

in those 17 minutes he awarded a penalty from which Oxford equalised as well as a caution and then dismissal for the "fouler"

No mention of replacement line

In the mid-1980s, the arrangement of fourth officials was still the responsibility of each club, rather than being done centrally. Hence, some clubs had their fourth officials appointed by the appointments' secretary of a local league, whilst others delegated the task to the local branch of the RA. In the case of Oxford United, the appointments were made by the referees' appointments secretary of the county FA.

Partly because of the involvement of the Oxfordshire FA and partly because of Oxford United being in the old first Division, such fourth official appointments were considered to have prestige. The appointees were invariably class one referees registered with the Oxfordshire FA, who would be routinely officiating on the Oxfordshire Senior League or on a league of a higher standard.

These appointments were generally made well in advance, and the appointee would be an Oxfordshire class one - so probably one of about sixty or so individuals. It should be borne in mind that, in this context, "Oxfordshire" was and still is the smaller pre-1974 county. The area formerly known as North Berkshire still remains under the auspices of the Berks & Bucks FA. The fourth official was always named in the match programme by Oxford United, a copy of which is on sale here :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Football-Programme-OXFORD-UNITED-v-ASTON-VILLA-Dec-1986-/372647950592

If this has not been sorted by the time that the current restrictions are lifted, I will visit the reference library and examine the match reports in the local newspaper.

Interesting! I came off the Isthmian League in 1978, so must have missed these 4O appointments, and I certainly don't remember them. I would have liked to have participated although I suspect this would not have included the Palace, particularly if I brought my CPFC scarf along with me!   

When a linesman went down in a Palace v Brighton midweek game in the 1970s, an RA colleague and friend was over the fence from the terraces before the physio had reached the stricken man. He just happened to be in tracksuit and had a pair of boots with him, and he quickly took over the line for the rest of the game. We never did find out why he was there in tracksuit and boots or whether he had been asked to stand by, but I was never aware of our local RA being asked to provide reserves, and I was never asked to fulfill that role, so I assume it might have been foresight or a premonition on the part of my RA colleague. So if you are still out there somewhere, Norm, could you please let me know the lottery numbers for tonight's triple rollover?     

February 2016: National League North: FC United of Manchester 3-2 North Ferriby United

Referee was Peter Wright of Merseyside, also now a Football League referee. But I think he also pulled his Achilles about 10 minutes before half time and had to come off.
Luckily there was a replacement referee at the ground: ME! I was groundhopping with my dad. I went onto the far side opposite the dugouts and did the last 10 minutes of the 1st half an the entire second half. It was 1-1 at half time, and for the second half, I saw out of the corner of my eye, a congregation of about 250 Ferriby fans gathered behind me.
At 2-1 I flagged the Ferriby striker - the legendary Tom Denton - offside as he scored which didn't go down well with the fans behind me. Ferriby did manage to equalise with about 5 minutes left, but FC united scored a winner in injury time.

An amazing experience and remains the most senior level match I have ever officiated on. The assessor was quite pleased that he didn't have to come on! Unfortunately, I cannot remember who the other officials were on the game

Sunderland v Derby County 01.09.1894

Tom Kirkham (Stoke) was on a delayed train and "wired" ahead to say he would not make the 3.30 start

Therefore local official John Conqueror, who was to become a Football League referee three seasons later,
started the match but not before both sides had lodged formal complaints.

At half time with Sunderland 3–0 up Kirkham arrived and asked Derby if they wanted to start the game again.
As they were three down they accepted.
 
Two more "normal" halves followed, with Sunderland again 3 up at the "new" half time and going on to win 8-0

That's a fascinating bit of historic information, John. Can I ask what your source was please ? British Newspaper Archive maybe ? 

I have to say I do admire the dedication shown on the I spy forum from the regular contributors. You all put a huge amount of time and effort into your research & of course in ensuring this ammassed info is passed on.

Monday 26th August 1957

Division 3 North

Halifax Town v Bury

Frank Coultas (Hull) limped off early in the second half

No other details

Sat 29th Oct 1932

Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United

Torrential rain/snow

Blackburn 3-0 up at half time

Second half resumes without one Blackburn player
He eventually returns but one, then two, others leave
and the trainer is giving the players sips of whisky
on the side lines

Play is eventually stopped after 71 minutes
and the stoppage lasts for nearly 30 minutes

Towards the end of the stoppage the referee passes out
and the senior line takes charge with a local to run the line

Blackburn return with 11 but Sheffield United have only 8
as they play out the remaining time in farcical conditions

Ref - A.J. Caseley (Wolverhampton)
Sr. Line - H. Berry (Huddersfield) later to be a F.L. referee