On the evening of 5th December, 1919, a meeting was held at The Beresford Café, St Helier, Jersey, attended by Messrs Tatum, Hunt, Vardon, Coombs, Goldbolt, Carter, Bourke and Hayden, all of whom were local football Referees. At that meeting, it was agreed to form the Jersey Referee’s Association, later renamed as the Jersey Football Referee’s Association.
When the Association was first formed, its core principles were the welfare, representation, education and development of referees, principles that are equally relevant today.
To bring the first century of the Association to a close, on 5th December 2019, 28 past and present JFRA members met at The Post Horn, to commemorate the Centenary of the first ever meeting, held exactly 100 years earlier.
The President, Paul Daniel welcomed everyone to the evening, with a particularly warm welcome being given to 91 year old Iain Nutter, who is considered by many as being one of the best Referees the Island has produced.
President Paul Daniel, in front of a photograph of him from the 1970’s
The President provided a brief history of the development of football in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, leading up to the formation of the Jersey Referees’ Association in 1919, and then read the minutes of that first meeting.
After leading a period of silent reflection to remember all local Referees and other ‘football people’ who were sadly no longer with us, the President asked all those present to join him in a toast to the Association.
JFRA Minute Books dating back to 1919 were on display, along with many old photographs, newspaper articles and other memorabilia, all of which prompted fond reminiscences amongst the attendees.
A more formal celebration of the Association’s Centenary will take place at a Centenary Dinner for past and present members and their guests, to be held at Hotel Ambassadeur, on Saturday, 16th May, 2020, when the Association will be honoured with the presence of Mr Paul Field, the Chairman of The Referees’ Association, our national parent body, along with his wife Joanne, who will be joining us for the weekend.
The JFRA would be pleased to see as many former members as possible at the event and anyone who would be interested in attending should contact the Association at jfracentenary@gmail.com or telephone Ray Sutcliffe on 07797769725
We would also be pleased to welcome any Referee who has previously been a guest of the Association, either as a speaker at one of our meetings or at an Annual Dinner, by dint of the appointment as Referee of the Muratti Vase or Upton Park Trophy finals.
Our Partnerships
Partnerships are often formed between individuals, agencies or organisations with a shared interest to address specific issues. Our evidence reveals that our members young and old often require mental, emotional, financial, medical help, support and guidance. The Referees’ Association champion the work of those agencies that provide this support in times of need. Should you require support please contact the relevant agency below or the RA Head Office.
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The National RA recommends that prospective members should join through their local LRA, the easiest way being to attend one of the many local association meetings that take place across the country on a regular (usually monthly) basis. Find your nearest branch now.
Alternatively, online membership is now available for any referee who wishes to take up central membership. The National RA will then allocate you a local branch. Join now.
