RateTheRef

When one thinks of some of the really good referees of yesteryear who never got awarded either the FA or League Cup Final, it is extraordinary to think that a referee of moderate ability like Jon Moss has had them both. However, the olden days were by no means perfect for they also threw up their share of extraordinary ( considering the paucity of their talent ) double Cup Final appointees among whom I would include Gordon Kew, Roger Milford ( contentious this choice as I know some really rated him ), Keith Hackett,  Mike Riley and most notably Peter Willis whom to call moderate is to be exceedingly generous.

There were also many fine referees who received the double Final honour, most particularly Jack Taylor, George Courtney, Neil Midgley, Joe Worrall (of course) and Peter Jones and others besides, I am sure.

I found myself agreeing with nearly all the referees listed in both categories.  As Whistleblower mentions, some really rated Milford and I must admit I rather enjoyed watching him referee for most of his career, perhaps influenced at the time by his 'matey' style.  However, his FA Cup Final performance and those awful Gascoigne challenges persuaded me I'd been misguided. 

Of those who received the double of Finals, I don't recall seeing a lot of Peter Jones although I know he was very well respected. But Taylor, Courtney, Midgley and Worrall were all referees I thought were superb and were certainly 4 of my favourites from past decades. I would add Pat Partridge who also refereed both the FA Cup and League Cup Finals.  In the 1978 World Cup where he was England's representative, he was perhaps unlucky only to get 1 game in the middle and 2 line appointments.  I think he only refereed a single match in the 1980 European Championships too.

So thanks Whistleblower.  Some great names there as well as the 'moderates'.

Sorry to go off topic but I enjoy the nostalgia.