Ray doesn’t need much of an introduction as he’s still an active member but did you know his football career was cut short at an early age? They’re still trying to get over it at Ebbsfleet FC….however their loss was the refereeing world’s gain!

• Why Did You Pick Up The Whistle To Referee? Two broken legs in a season!
• What Year Did You Qualify As A Referee? 1978
• What Was Your First Game -Teams/Score? Istead Rise A v Blue Circle Res 8-2
• What Leagues Did You Referee In? Gravesend League, North Kent Sunday League, Kent League, Southern League, Vauxhall Conference
• How Many Years Did You Referee Before Hanging Uptake Whistle? I’m still active in the BUCS League
• How Many Years Were You Involved With The Society As A Member? Still involved as the Society President
• What Role(S) Did You Have On Committee? Chairman, President
• What Was Your Most Memorable Time As A Referee? Welsh Cup Final Referee 2001 & 1st game as FIFA Referee
• Any Last Comment Or Advice To Younger Referees? Stay fit, know the LOTG and be firm but fair.

Steve also known as Mr Penarth Gas Services – is a regular at meetings and always happy to pass on his pearls of wisdom to the younger members. Steve has made a significant contribution to refereeing in Wales and in 2018 was awarded the Referees’ Association Lifetime Service Award.

• Why Did You Pick Up The Whistle To Referee? The main reason was the fact that I was a useless right back for Cogan Coronation
• What Year Did You Qualify As A Referee? October 1966
• What Was Your First Game -Teams/Score? Bluebirds 4 Aneurin Rovers 0
Barry and District League (Under 16)
• What Leagues Did You Referee In? Barry and District, Cardiff Combination, Cardiff and District, Cardiff Sunday League, Boys Clubs of Wales, Amateur League, Wales and West Youth League and Welsh League
• How Many Years Did You Referee Before Hanging Uptake Whistle? 17 years (gas man’s knees did me in)
• How Many Years Were You Involved With The Society As A Member? Since 1966
• What Role(S) Did You Have On Committee? Chairman, Assistant Secretary, Editor Cardiff Whistler, President, Accomodation Secretary 1980 Conference also committee 1992 and 2002 Conferences and Secretary Eve of Final Rally
• What Was Your Most Memorable Time As A Referee? Refereeing in a youth tournament in Brazil

Arnie was an ever present member of society during the 1980’s, 90’s and early 2000. During his time he helped raise the profile of the society with his sharp business acumen and links with numerous sponsors. His efforts certainly help to establish the society as the best and in Wales!

• Why Did You Pick Up The Whistle To Referee? Decided to give it a go to help my son’s junior team. He was playing at Under 14’s level his games didn’t have a qualified referee and the rest is history!
• What Year Did You Qualify As A Referee? In 1986
• What Was Your First Game -Teams/Score? I started off doing junior games with my son’s team and then went onto the Cardiff Combination League. I couldn’t tell you the team/score.
• What Leagues Did You Referee In? Cardiff Sunday League for a few years and the Welsh League as a Referee and an Assistant Referee.
• How Many Years Did You Referee Before Hanging Up The Whistle? I retired when I was 65 years old -which makes it 24 years.
• How Many Years Were You Involved With The Society As A Member? I joined the Society the first day after I qualified as a referee – 24 years.
• What Role(S) Did You Have On Committee? I was in and out of the committee over the years – just as a member of the committee.
• What Was Your Most Memorable Time As A Referee? Looking back there were quite a few but the highlight was in 1998 and being on the line for Jimmy Goodfellow’s testimonal game against Man Utd at Ninian Park

Paul was a major figure in society from 1980 to early 2000’s and was Chairman during the Eve of the Final Rallies. Paul’s father was a long standing member of the committee and notable referee. The Current Chairman describes Paul as being “an outstanding referee in his day… Old School!”

• Why Did You Pick Up The Whistle To Referee? The main influence or reason was my father who was also a referee in the Welsh Premier League.
• What Year Did You Qualify As A Referee? I qualified in 1971/72 – I was 12 years old and still in school at the time. Terry Stewart who was also a member of the Society was the instructor.
• What Was Your First Game -Teams/Score? I can’t remember my first game but I started off refereeing school games so Rumney High v another school. My first league game was 4 years later in the Cardiff Sunday League.
• What Leagues Did You Referee In? I was quite fortunate really and refereed at all levels in Wales. I started off in Cardiff with the Sunday League and Cardiff & District. I was then promoted to the South Wales Alliance and Senior League, the Welsh League and Welsh Premier League. I was also an assistant referee in the so ran the line in the Southern Conference.
• How Many Years Did You Referee Before Hanging Uptake Whistle? 1976 to 2006 (35 years)
• How Many Years Were You Involved With The Society As A Member? I was involved with the Society after I qualified in 1972 so in total about 39 years.
• What Role(S) Did You Have On Committee? Chairman for 14 years
• What Was Your Most Memorable Time As A Referee? A difficult question – too many to list but I’ll give it a go Referred Cardiff City v Burnley in a pre season friendly. Refereed Ryan Wilson(Giggs) when he captained England School Boys against Wales.
• Any Last Comment Or Advice To Younger Referees? Enjoy what you are doing and referee with a smile on your face. The key to being a successful is having good man management skills – don’t always to control with the use of cards. Also always look smart and professional – you will won over 50% of the players if you look the part.