I am particularly grateful to the late John Day, Secretary, John Harvey, Vice-President, both of the former R.A. Western Division and Frank Bastin, Treasurer and former Secretary of the East Devon R.A. for their invaluable help in supplying information about the early history of our Branch.

Brian Pearce

President

North Devon R.A.

10th September 2008

 

THE HISTORY

 

It is difficult to trace the early history of the North Devon Branch of The Referees' Association, as no local records of any kind appear to have survived of those days. However, an extract from the minutes of the East Branch dated 12th October 1938 stated "The Secretary was instructed to send the other three branches in Devon (presumably North, South and West) notices regarding a prospective dinner to be run early in the New Year". Again on the 9th November 1938 it is recorded "Members present as per register. Messrs. Rice and Rowland, members of the North Devon Branch were also present". A further extract from these minutes stated "Mr. Rice of Barnstaple then spoke. He told the meeting of the difficulties they had in keeping the Association going in North Devon but with the help of Mr. Rowland, their new Chairman and by any help from the Eastern branch, he hoped to put their Association on a sound footing".

Soon after this came the outbreak of the Second World War (1939-45), when the East was the only branch in Devon to hold meetings during this period. In an article entitled "Our Association" written by Harold Hammett which appeared in the October 1961 issue of "The Middle Man", the monthly magazine of the North Devon Referees' Association, he said "The first meeting of the North Devon Branch of the Referees' Association took place in the private office of E. Pearse & Co. Ltd., Loverings Court, Barnstaple in 1945. There were only a few referees about in North Devon just after the war and I sent out notices to Eddie Williams, then Area    Secretary and a referee, Tom Summers, who became the first President and was at that time Secretary of the North Devon League, also Secretary of the local Appointments' Board, Cecil Dunning, Bill Hayward and Wilf Rowland". After this meeting subsequent meetings were held in the Foresters Hall, Barnstaple, among those who attended, other than the ones already mentioned, were Austen Burridge, Sid Burrington, Emie Bratcher, Barney Buckingham, Eric (Pipe) Wallis, Tom Berry and Stan Rendle.

A further extract from the minutes of the East Branch dated 18th December, 1946 stated "The Chairman then welcomed the following members from Barnstaple, Messrs. Hammett, Dunning, Bratcher and Rowland, and said that they would have an opportunity to speak later in the meeting". Mr Dunning said "He was desirous of     re-forming the Association there, but as the members were so few thought that for this season at any rate, the North Devon member could be affiliated to the Eastern Area". Mr. Rowland also spoke at this meeting.

During the early months of 1947 five members of the East Branch visited Barnstaple to try and help solve the problems in the North. The last reference in the East's minutes regarding the starting of the North Devon Branch is dated 27th August 1947. It stated "The Hon. Sec. in his report said that he had reviewed the season's working with some pride. We had helped in restarting the South Devon Branch, which was now going in full swing, also we had been to North Devon and set them going but football in that area was not working too smoothly".

Further evidence may be found in "The Football Referee", the official magazine of the Referees' Association. In the late 1940's the following notes were compiled by Reg. Miller, who was then the Hon. Western Divisional Secretary. March 1946 - "Intent of the Devon County RA declared to establish Branches in the North of the County". December 1947 - "East, West and South Branches (confirmed by East minutes) formally established but work still continuing with strong East support to get the North Branches established" (again confirmed by East minutes) March 1948 - "Branch Officers for North Devon elected (unfortunately no names quoted) and appreciation expressed to East Devon for funding the cost of setting up etc.; some £8, a lot of money in those days!" April 1948 - "North Devon now established, with a membership of 18".

From the evidence provided by the minutes of the East Devon Branch, it would indicate that there was a branch in the North before the Second World War. Unfortunately, no details of its activities or meetings are known. Certainly, it would have closed down for the war years as    virtually the only football played in the area was by Service sides. After the war ended in 1945, Harold Hammett called together the few referees in the North area for an informal meeting in Barnstaple. Out of this a  committee was formed and meetings were held in the Foresters Hall, but it would appear that the North Devon members joined and paid their  subscriptions to the East Branch as a temporary measure until with their assistance the North Branch was re-formed by April 1948. This fact is known for certain, as the date by which the Branch was re-formed (confirmed by the above evidence) after a lapse of some years due to the war. However, the elusive date that it was founded is unsolved, though mention is made of its existence in 1937/1938, and further research is needed to unravel this mystery.

During the next few years the Branch struggled as attendances at meetings were poor. Harold Hammett, the Secretary, was despondent at times by the lack of support from the membership, but was always encouraged by Arthur Tidball, then Secretary of the Devon County RA, who told him 'Carry on my boy the tide will turn’. The tide did turn    eventually, thanks to Harold's strenuous efforts, but it took a 'stormy' meeting in the Foresters Hall in 1959 to put the Branch on a firm  foundation for the future.

By now some younger men had joined the Association and one of them, Ken Rookes became Secretary, a position he was to hold for 17 years, and his drive and enthusiasm helped the Association through a very difficult period. Within a year another of the younger generation John Fry had been elected Chairman, an office he was to hold for 11 years. John's strong leadership and fresh ideas were just what the Branch needed. He quickly realised that lack of communication was one of the main problems of the Association, whose membership was widely scattered over a large rural area. Just before taking office, he had circulated an experimental copy of a magazine giving the news and views of the Branch. This was to prove a huge success. During the next 11 years John was to edit a hundred issues assisted by a number of willing helpers. The title chosen was "The Middle Man" and the Branch was said to be the first in Devon to have its own magazine.

In 1976 Ken Rookes in order to help the Branch switched from Secretary to Treasurer for a short term, then Vice-Chairman in 1978 and finally capped an outstanding record of service on becoming Chairman in 1979. A position he held until he left the area in 1984.

As well as their own Branch both John Fry and Ken Rookes served the Devon County RA, John was Chairman 1970-76 and Ken Vice-Chairman 1976-84. In appreciation of their services they were made Life Vice-Presidents of the County Association on relinquishing office.

During the ensuing years the Branch has had its highs and lows, as Arthur Tidball indicated all those years ago. Successive chairmen and secretaries have worked hard to keep the Branch going when interest seemed at a low ebb.

For 9 years Norman Saunders struggled valiantly as editor to keep the magazine, now entitled "The Whistle Stop", in circulation, while Mike Sturgess took it on for five years and was followed by Andy Walter, who is to be congratulated on his enthusiastic and untiring efforts during his 10 year stint. However, the tide gradually turned with a go ahead Chairman in Dougie Cole and a Secretary, Tony McLoughlin, who has shown a remarkable resilience in this demanding job with his  unfailing sense of humour during his 14 year spell. In 1991 they were   responsible for finding the ideal venue for meetings at Marshford, the home of Appledore F.C. The membership responded by showing their approval with increased attendances at meetings.

This happy state of affairs has continued over the intervening years under the enterprising leadership of successive chairmen in Brian Carpenter, Andy Woolf, Rae Francis for one term only and the present holder, Andy Walter. The latter has contributed greatly to the success of the Association by his sterling work as magazine editor 1988-1998, secretary 2000-2005 and now chairman acting in 2005 and holding the top seat since 2006. This is truly a remarkable record of outstanding and   dedicated service, not far short of that given by Ken Rookes between 1959 and 1984.

Long may it last!

 

BRANCH MEETINGS

 

These are now held on the 3rd Friday of the month from August to May - the latter month being the AG.M. For the most part meetings have only been held during the football season, while the night for these get-togethers has altered from time to time to suit the wishes of members. The first half of each meeting follows a set pattern with a business agenda which includes reports from the delegates to the Devon County F.A, Devon County RA, North Devon and Kingsley Leagues.

After an interval (to refill the glasses of those who are thirsty!) the second half either has a guest speaker or a topic of refereeing/soccer interest presented by a member. Other activities have included Quizzes, Mock   Commissions, Discussion Groups, First Aid, Forum of local Managers/Coaches/ Secretaries, Instructional films or videos and more recently the Road Show presented by members of the Devon County F.A Instructors' Panel.

The venues for meetings have been many and varied over the years. The Branch started in 1948 with a permanent home at the Foresters Hall in Barnstaple (long ago demolished for redevelopment), since 1991 it has been fortunate in having a regular place for meetings, thanks to the Appledore Football Club, in their Clubhouse at Marshford, which is greatly appreciated by all members.

During the intervening years the Branch has had an almost nomadic existence moving around the area, not always by choice, from the Maltscoop Inn (Bideford), Red Petticoat Cafe (Barnstaple), RCT Fremington, Barnstaple Town F.C. Social Club, RAF Chivenor, RAOB. Hall (Barnstaple), Pilton Church Rooms, Bideford, Littleham & Westward Ho! and Raleigh Cricket Clubs, Encore Works (Bideford), St. John's        Ambulance Station (Barnstaple), Pilton Community College, Torridge Inn (Bideford), Exeter Inn (Barnstaple), Ring of Bells (Bideford), Royal Mail (Bideford), Huntsman Inn and Crown & Sceptre (Holsworthy), Royal & Fortescue Hotel, (Barnstaple), Countryman Inn (Barnstaple), Durrant House Hotel (Bideford), Black Horse (Torrington), North Devon Leisure Centre (Barnstaple), Swan Inn (Bideford), Imperial Hotel (Barnstaple) and Rising Sun (Newport, Barnstaple). During some seasons meetings were held in Barnstaple and Bideford on alternate months in order to improve attendances.

             Names of guest speakers over the years have included the following - some more than once:- Martin Bodenham (FIFA Referee and UEFA Observer), Ron Crab, Alex Lees, Charles Nicholls, Lester Shapter, Clive Thomas and Peter Walters (Football League Referees), Revd. Stanley Davis (FA Cup Final Linesman in 1953), Jack Bricknell (FA Cup Final Linesman in 1964), Wendy Toms (Worthington Cup Final Assistant Referee in 2000), Guy Beale (Premier League Assistant Referee), Eric Knight,  Paul  Norman and Henry Smale. (Football League Linesmen), Andy Bennett,  Andy Newell and Simon Hollick (Football League Assistant Referees), Roger Vaughan (FA Regional Manager South West and Football League Assistant  Referee), Craig Cox (FA Senior Licensed Instructor), John Watts, Gordon Berry and Ron Roberts (FA Wessex Area Advisors), Bill Alexander, Bill Smith, Ron Newman, John Day and John Harvey (RA Western Divisional Officers), Ivor Harrris (Berks & Bucks RA), Bill  Cheshire, Jack Taylor (Cornwall F.A), Dr. David Hutchinson (FA Licensed Instructor, Surrey County FA Assesor) and Martin Cassidy (FA Referees’ Coach,   Chairman, Weston-Super-Mare RA). Other speakers have included members of the Devon County FA & RA - too numerous to mention individually, but nevertheless they have all made invaluable  contributions to the meetings.

 

DINNERS

The first Dinner to be held by the North Devon Branch of the Referees' Association was at the Wrey Arms, Barnstaple, in 1954. It was organised by Charlie Bond and proved a great success. Tickets in those days were 7s/- per head.

In 1957 and 1958 the Trocadero Hotel, Barnstaple, was the venue and in each case was well supported by members. After a lapse of one year the Dinners were held at the New Inn, Bideford, from 1960 to 1967, Three Bears, Barnstaple, 1968 and 1969, North Devon Motel, Barnstaple, 1970, Roborough House, Barnstaple, 1971, back to New Inn, Bideford, 1972, North Devon Motel again in 1973, Commodore Hotel, Instow, 1974 to 1977, Port Quarter, Appledore, 1978, Royal Hotel, Bideford, 1979 to 1981, North Devon Motel, Barnstaple, again in 1982, back to Royal Hotel, Bideford, 1983 and the Royal & Fortescue Hotel in 1985, which was the last Dinner held by the Branch for some years. However to mark the Golden Jubilee a Dinner was held in 1998 at the Lee Bay Hotel near Ilfracombe. Now as we approach the Diamond Jubilee of the Branch the event is being celebrated with a Dinner at the Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple, when Arthur Smith, General Secretary of The Referees' Association will be the guest of honour.

Since those days support for such an annual event has declined. In the late 1950's and early 60's, the format for these Dinners was after the meal; some five toasts were proposed and responded by guest speakers and members of the Branch, ten speeches in all! This was followed by dancing, old tyme and some modern, various games and competitions all of which were very capably organised by the M.C. Harold Bartlett, member of the Devon County FA and Secretary of the North Devon League. Indeed, the Branch owed him a debt of gratitude for his enthusiasm and untiring efforts to keep the party spirit going over the years.

In more recent times, the major change to this form of programme has been less speeches (much to the delight of the ladies!) and the modern disco as a form of entertainment, taking the place of the small band which had become an expensive item. In addition, the Annual Dinner provided an opportunity to make presentations to members in recognition of their work for the Association such as the National Long and Meritorious Service Award, County RA Meritorious Service Award and Life Membership of the Branch.

Updated history of our local branch

For details of past officers go to the Branch officials’ page here!