58 'goal-den' years - Wolverhampton footballing community celebrate legendary referee's service to the game
Friends, colleagues and members of the Wolverhampton football community gathered to blow the final whistle on a refereeing legend's 58-year career.
Harry Worrall, now 88, called it a day in October of last year but a farewell party was held recently at Fordhouses Cricket Club to mark his years in the game.
Harry, from East Park, Wolverhampton, first put on his referee shirt aged 28 after being asked to officiate for his local team, Star Aluminium, in Bridgnorth in 1966.
The team, who were started by the based metals group, were made up of players from the factory floor and by the late 90s were in the West Midlands League Premier division.
Harry went on from there and over the years made his mark refereeing in Wolverhampton and other areas in the West Midlands. He took charge of the final of the prestigious J W Hunt Cup in 1984 before becoming a commitee member. The cup competition has raised thousands for the Sedgley-based Beacon Centre for the Blind.
Harry said he had his own way of controlling teams.
He said: "I have had a bit of stick at times, but nothing major. It’s all about man-management and how you talk to the players.
“You see the refs on the telly pointing their fingers and shouting ‘come here’ to the players. I never did that. I’d have a quiet word and talk to them in the right manner and sort things out. You have to talk to them properly to get their respect.”
Tributes were paid to Harry on his big night which was attended by friends, former colleagues, players he had refereed and officials of the competitions in which he officated.
David Clinton of the Beacon League said: “Many thanks for your loyal service from us all at Beacon FL.”
Alex Hamil was a contemporary of Harry as a referee and is the president of the JW Hunt Cup.
He said: "To be a referee for 58 years is a fantastic achievement, and to go right through to last season when he was 87 is impressive. During his career he earned respect from whoever he dealt with whether it be players, linesmen or club and league officials."
The money raised from the evening - more than £300 - will go to the JW Hunt Cup fund.
