25 Years Service To Refereeing Awards
Last night saw us run our 25 years service to refereeing awards at Fleet Lane
The evening was a chance for us to thank, celebrate and reward those match officials who have officiated for 25 years and beyond.
These match officials have committed and dedicated hours of their time for the love of the game and it's not just refereeing, it is everything around it we must not forget - referee reports, travel, the amount of administration. They do it all.
They are part of the glue that keeps it all together, without them a game is not possible, cup finals would not be played and those special, highlight matches in one's playing career would end there if it wasn't for these exceptional individuals, fulfilling one of the hardest roles in the game.
It was only right to recognise the following for their fantastic service.
Andy McEvoy, Peter Walker, Mark Heap, Surrinder Singh, Roger Haycock, Nigel Haycock, William Clark, Allen Haywood, Stephen Rhodes, Justin Crowther, Bruce Daggett, Garry Lewis, Kenneth Haycock, Andrew Gee, Steve Hoyle, Alan Clough, Steve Hoyle, Robert Barker, Richard Haslam, Ian Brown, Stuart Ramsden, Paul MacDonald, David Walker, John Hislop, Ronald Cushing, Christopher Lockwood, John Connolly, Manfred Wojtas, Eugene Lacy, Roger Byrne, Thomas Simp, Stuart Wilson MBE, Everton Arthurton, Alex McGeorge, James Mackintosh, Martin Thornton, Manjinderpal Rayat, Ian Knee, Brian Wilkinson, Nigel Stroud, Chris Morritt, Richard Holdsworth, George Pye, David Redman, Arthur McCann, Michael Stoddart, Brian Wilson, Ian Childs and Ian Clapham.
West Riding FA Referee Development Officer, Mark Haywood, said "We were pleased with how the evening went and it was good to see so many people in attendance.
The referees in attendance deserved the recognition as do the officials with 25 years plus, that could not attend.
The wealth of experience in the room was incredible and the vast majority are still officiating every week.
The impact every individual has had on grassroots football has been immense and has to be commended."
West Riding FA President, John Byrne, added "It's not often that the chance to show our appreciation for the efforts of our referees comes around but the presentation of the long service awards yesterday evening was the ideal opportunity to do just that.
The event was well attended and the informal nature of the gathering in a relaxed atmosphere with the chance of a bite to eat at the same time was well received.
It was nice to see a number of old faces and to meet and chat with some I haven't previously come across.
My thanks go not only to Mark and Mick for the organisation, to Janice and Gary for the catering and Harry for the photography but especially to those 'time served' officials who were honoured on the night."