by the late Michael Blackurn (adjusted by Tom Rampling)

When David (current Branch Treasurer) asked me (by e-mail of course!) to write this piece, he suggested that I commenced with the phrase "Norwich Referees Society was formed in ?.?". Unfortunately it is not possible to complete the sentence because the real origins of the Branch are hidden in the mists of time. The reader should understand that this is not a history, prepared by searching newspaper archives, the national RA or county FA records, etc but a brief compilation of the recollections of just a few ancient ex-referees who are still branch members.

Naturally I turned first to Bill Wright, our oldest member, and he tells me that he thinks that pre-war (that is the 1939-1945 Second World War to be precise) there was some sort of loose association in Norwich. But there was no organisation in place until 1947, when ten referees, including Bill, got together in Tommy Crotch's(?) pub in Magdalen Road, the Elm Tavern (now demolished), and formed a "formal" society. Claude Howlett was elected as the first Chairman. They celebrated their first season in 1948 by holding a fish and chip supper in Deacons Restaurant in Timber Hill.

The meeting place remained at Tommy Crotch's pub (although Bill cannot remember the pubs name) for three years by which time a growing membership warranted a change of venue to the Assembly Rooms. Subsequent meeting places have been in both the Conservative Club and the Labour Club (to show that we do not have any political favourites), followed by Lakenham Leisure, The Cottage in Thorpe, St Andrews FC Clubhouse and our present venue; TheFDC@Bowthorpe.

Bill remained an active committee man (including a term as Chairman) until the election of Bert Westwood as President in 1969 caused him to reconsider his position. Bert was not a local man but an ex Football League Referee who had come to Norwich to take up the post of Norwich City's secretary. Bill considered that Bert had been preferred over more deserving local long term members so withdrew from active participation. Considering what took place in 1977(see below) Bill certainly had a point!

My other sources are Graham Burdett (by e-mail), Donny Nichols, Ronnie Thompson and myself. Donny joined the branch in 1960, Ronnie in 1961, Graham in 1970 and I came on board in 1971. We talked about notable people, notable events and the countywide activities that are no longer on the calendar. We remembered Tommy Dawes, Harry 'Robbo' Robinson, Colin Reeve, John Elwin and Steve Artis - who all reached the top flight as either a referee or assistant referee respectively. Our current members, Darren Cann and Lee Betts, are out there waving the flag for the branch in the Premiership and/or in international circles. Notable branch officers were Tony Pitman, Les Templing. George Watts, Dick Gooch and Dick Snelling and, of course, the aforementioned Bert Westwood. George Watts was a notable chairman and president who steered the branch through difficult times and died suddenly whilst president. Later on Tony Pitman also proved an excellent president in troubled circumstances. Les Templing (as was John Elwin) was an excellent, caring, training officer and the founder (and principal organiser) of the branch five a side tournament. Dick Snelling was credited with creating the assessing system that was the forerunner of assessing as we know it today. Dick Gooch died tragically whilst in office and his memory, together with those of Dick Snelling and George Watts, is perpetuated by the branch trophies that bear their names.

The troubles that beset George Watts were caused by the then (circa 1970) treasurer running off with the funds leaving the branch penniless. Tony Pitman guided the branch out of the Westwood affair in 1977. In that year Bert came up for re-recommendation by the committee as president but failed to gain the unanimous support, that he expected, so in something like high dudgeon took himself off to form a rival branch known as the Wensum Referees Society. The Wensum Referees Society never received RA recognition and Bert himself lost his positions on the County FA and local leagues for using those positions to the detriment of Norwich RA Branch members.

On a happier note the Five a Side football tournament was a resounding success becoming the summer competition that everybody, even from as far away as Essex, wanted to enter and proved a money spinner for the branch. In more recent times it fell foul of the expense of those notorious vagabonds, Mr. Health and Mrs. Safety, and is no more. Annual Dinners were splendid affairs, usually oversubscribed and attended by dignitaries such as the Lord Mayor. The Branch held a 75th Anniversary in January 2020, which featured Chris Kavanagh (a Premier League & FIFA Match official). Other notable guest speakers included football legends Brian Clough, and Bill Shankly alongside other top-flight referees. The social calendar included a children's Christmas party with either Donny Nichols or Frank Thorpe in the starring role. Out in the county the annual referees gala and the murderous inter branch football matches separated the men from the boys. With the addition of cricket matches the branch had a full year of events (and no summer break for pre-season training!). Not to be forgotten was the RA annual conference that was held in St. Andrews Hall and for which a county wide organising committee had spent years raising funds for an ever increasing budget.

Over the years the increasing demands on referees brought about by mid week matches, more stringent fitness and league demands lead to a lack of interest in all these extra mural activities. Unfortunately one by one these events were discontinued. Branch membership also declined, but a solid core still exists and every effort continues to be made to support referees- which has always been the principal objective of the Referees Association.

Continued .... Tom Rampling

Our membership today ranges from a large number of youth referees, to Premier League officials- including Darren Cann and Lee Betts. Darren famously assisted Howard Webb in the 2010 World Cup Final between Spain and the Netherlands, and also has the Champions League Final, FA Cup Final and a vast number of international matches under his belt. Lee also has several accolades to his name, including the 2017-18 FA Cup Final, the 2015 League Cup Final and numerous international and Premier League Fixtures. This range of experience leads to lively meetings, as we discuss incidents from the local parks up to the biggest games in the world. Our mentorship scheme has helped many members, young and old, to get promoted. Our "club mentality" provides a support network for our members.

The Branch continues to thrive to this day, holding the largest membership base in Norfolk. Due to the current COVID-19 Pandemic all meetings are being held virtually.