Alf Grey

Alfred Grey (born February 2, 1935) [ [http://www.zerozero.eu/uk/arbitro.php?id=1354 Birthdate confirmation] : "zerozero.eu" website.] ) is an English former football referee in the English Football League and at FIFA level. During his time on the List he was based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Career

Grey became a Football League linesman in 1968. Three years later he became a supplementary referee and in 1972 he progressed to the full List. His first full season (1972-73) was coincidentally the last one for another Great Yarmouth referee who achieved honours - Norman Burtenshaw.

In 1976 he was senior linesman to Clive Thomas in the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Southampton, which the Saints won 1-0 through a goal by Bobby Stokes. One year later he was appointed to the FIFA List.

Thereafter Grey was a regular figure in top division and other key games. He was awarded the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Brighton at the end of his final season (1982-83). He had refereed the Sussex club earlier in the competition at Anfield when they pulled off a shock victory in a fifth round tie, Liverpool also missing a penalty. For the third time in succession the Final went to a replay. Brighton, who had been relegated, came remarkably close to an upset against Manchester United. The game ended 2-2 after extra-time but Gordon Smith of Brighton famously missed a great chance in the final minute of normal time that might have won the game. [ [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=258961 FA Cup Final 1983] : soccerbase.com website.]

The replay was Grey's final domestic match. United won this game easily 4-0, the last goal an Arnold Mühren penalty. [ [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=258960 FA Cup Final Replay 1983] : soccerbase.com website.] He had one more game at international level in June 1983 - a friendly in Basle between Switzerland and Brazil, which was won by the visitors by 2-1. [ [http://www.rsssf.com/tablesz/zwit-intres-det.html Swiss international matches] , including the match between Switzerland and Brazil, June 1983: "RSSSF" website.]

References

Print

*Football League Handbooks, 1968-1971
*Rothmans Football Yearbooks, 1972-1983

Internet