Back in 1966 I was sent by the company I worked for on a management course to Sundridge Park. One of the tasks we were set by the course tutors was to make a presentation on some innovation that we would like to see introduced, not necessarily connected to our work. My presentation was about something which was close to my footballing heart and which I had been toying with for some time.I presented the case for a fair play award in local football.
Everyone likes to win and as the old saying goes, to the winner goes the spoils, but this was an idea that those who play the game fairly should also be recognised. An award, it was to be hoped, clubs would aspire to. Also, of course there was an ulterior motive. If teams could be encouraged to play fairly and in a sporting manner, they would be easier and more enjoyable to referee.
Despite the fact that I thought I made a good presentation, my other course members gave my idea the thumbs down. It would never work they said. However, I was undaunted and, having made the effort to put my ideas together, I made another presentation. This time to the committee of the Reading Referees Association for, as I envisaged it, the markings for this fair play award would come from the referees who officiated at games in local
football. The committee took a much more enlightened view and decided to back the scheme.
At the start of that season members of the Reading R.A. received forms and were asked to mark the clubs they refereed out of ten for 'clean play and sporting conduct'. Chairman of the Association at that time was Bert Newman who was also secretary of what was then called the Reading Institute League. They had a spare trophy which he donated to be presented to the team which received the highest marks over the season. It is to my great delight that this award is still running and at the ACM of the Reading Referees' Association on May 17th, the Bert Newman trophy will be presented to this season's winning team as it has for the past thirty-five years.
I made one addition to my presentation to the R.A. committee. In 1933, before even I had started refereeing, the Reading R.A. instituted a club linesman award. That is to say an award for the club linesman who was considered by members to be most helpful to them at their matches. In local football there can be no doubt that a good club linesman, or club assistant referee as they are now, is invaluable to the referee in his control of the game. They often get stick, not only from opponents but also from their own players, so it can be a thankless task. The idea of the award was so that those who do it well should get some recognition.
The problem was that the award was based on nominations and they were not always forthcoming in any number. My suggestion was that, on the same form that referees were asked to mark the clubs for fair play, they could also mark the club linesmen for their co-operation so that everyone got a chance. This too was adopted and each year the three highest marked club linesmen/assistant referees on the local Reading leagues receive a presentation at the R.A. Annual General Meeting.
Alan Turner has been the person responsible for organising these two awards and collating all the markings for the last fourteen years. Alan has now decided that the time has come for him to hand over the reins at the end of this season. My personal thanks go to Alan and I'm sure those of all referees and clubs in the local leagues for ensuring that these unique awards are still part of the football scene in the town.
Dick Sawdon Smith