Special award for David

At last week’s Heavy Woollen Referees’ Association meeting at Heckmondwike Sports Club, David, who lives in Staincliffe, was presented with an award from The Football Association for 40 years continuous service to refereeing, by Barry Chaplin, chairman of the West Riding County FA Referees’ Committee.

David has been involved with football at many levels and in many roles for more than four decades, initially as a player and secretary of his works team in 1965. He started refereeing in October 1969 and progressed through the ranks to what is now Supply League Level Four.

He spent 18 years as secretary of the Heavy Woollen Sunday League and it was during that time he became an instructor in 1986. This then led to assessing and mentoring referees which he still has a great involvement in to this day.

David is the secretary of the Heavy Woollen District Football Association, vice-president of the Heavy Woollen Referees’ Association and vice-chairman of the West Riding County Football Association Referees’ Committee.

James Parker, a member of the HW District FA committee and the HW Referees’ Association committee, said: “David has invested a lot of his time and effort into grassroots football, and referees in particular.

“There are a large number of highly successful referees in the county who have been helped by David during their careers and I am sure that there will be many more to come as it is hoped that he continues on for many years.”