Peter Willis

infobox football official


name = Peter Willis
fullname = Peter N Willis
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1937|10|26
cityofbirth = Newfield, Bishop Auckland,
County Durham
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
otheroccupation = Police officer
years = 1968-1971
1971-1985
league = Football League
Football League
role = Linesman
Referee
internationalyears =
–

confederation =
–

internationalrole =
–

Peter N. Willis (born October 26 1937 [ [http://www.zerozero.eu/uk/arbitro.php?id=1317 Birthdate confirmation] : "zerozero.eu" website.] ) is an English former association football referee, who operated in the Football League. He originates from Newfield, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, but now lives in Meadowfield. His other occupation was as a police officer.

Early life

He was educated at Spennymoor Grammar School, and later played amateur football for Tow Law Town. He was signed by Newcastle United, but never played above reserve level for them, eventually giving up to join the police force. He served at Cassop and Quarrington Hill, also playing football for their local teams. Throughout his career, his wife Helen had been "hugely supportive". [http://archive.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/2002/3/1/144237.html Main reference] for much of the information: article at "Darlington and Stockton Times" website.]

Career

Before one of those local matches in 1963, the appointed referee failed to turn up. Willis took charge of the game, and soon after formally trained as a referee.

He became a Football League linesman in 1968, and progressed to their list of referees in 1971.

He was appointed to the Football League Cup Final of 1982, when Liverpool defeated Tottenham 3–1, after extra time. [ [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=260031 League Cup Final 1982] : soccerbase.com website.]

Willis refereed the 1985 FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Everton, which United won 1–0, courtesy of a Norman Whiteside goal during extra time. In the 78th minute of normal time, Kevin Moran of Manchester United was given a straight red card by him, [ [http://www.manutdzone.com/greatgames/greatgame3.html 1985 FA Cup Final] , Moran (Man. United) sent off, 78th minute, v. Everton: manutdzone.com website.] after a foul on Everton's Peter Reid convert|40|yd away from goal. In a 2002 newspaper article, Willis commented: "Moran just kicked him. Peter Reid might well have gone higher up in the air than he needed to but I saw what happened and I had a decision to make. I either put the whistle on the ground and walked off, or applied the laws of the game and sent him off."

Moran puts his side of it in a 2006 interview: "... I didn't think it was a foul; I had no intention of pulling Peter Reid down and felt I never touched him. I went into the tackle from the side and his momentum flicked him over, as if I'd clattered him. I couldn't believe it when I got a straight red." [ [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1720888,00.html Kevin Moran's comments] on the FA Cup Final dismissal: interview at the Guardian Unlimited website.]

Moran therefore became the first player ever to be dismissed from the field of play in an FA Cup Final. [ [http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2003/05/48711.htm Confirming] that Moran was the first ever to be sent off in an FA Cup Final: TheFA.com website.] Willis said: "It's never caused me a problem. I've never felt guilty about it, because it was the right decision. I just wish it hadn't happened because I'd rather be remembered for other reasons."

He is said to be one of only five freemasons to have been in charge of an FA Cup Final. [ [http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-12/p-41.php Freemason] reference: "MQ Magazine" website.]

He was president of the Referees' Association from 1984 to 2002. He suffered a stroke in 2000, which was a factor in his deciding to stand down from the presidency.

At the annual dinner of the Durham County Referees' Society, held at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on November 23 2002, Willis was honoured with a life membership of the Referees' Association.

References