Pride in father’s honour

HANDOVER . . . Peter Maxson (left) receives a special rose bowl from Arthur Smith, general secretary of the National Referees’ Association.

PETER Maxson, chairman of Oldham Referees’ Association, has spoken of his pride after his late father John was honoured with a posthumous award.

John, who was president and secretary, died suddenly at the age of 69 just two days before

he was due to celebrate life membership of the National Referees’ Association at a dinner last November.

But Peter received an engraved rose bowl, which formed part of the award, from general secretary Arthur Smith on behalf of the family, at Oldham Deaf Club.

He said: “The bowl itself is nice and the presentation was a wonderful gesture, of which my dad would have been proud.

“He was handed life membership last summer and was absolutely delighted, but the event in November was a local celebration and sadly it did not take place because he passed away.

“His 40 years service to refereeing included many different roles and the award is richly deserved.”

John took up officiating at a young age and, after gaining the necessary qualifications, became a member of the association.

He was a Football League linesman from 1975 to 1983, during which time he ran the line in a Merseyside derby.

Later in life he became a committee member and chairman of the Oldham branch, as well as a highly respected member of the national association.