Tony Ward (referee)
 |
| Born | 5 December 1941 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 1962 | South East Counties, Spartan, Athenian and Isthmian leagues | ||
| 1974 | Football League | Linesman | |
| 1990 | Football League | Referee | |
Tony Ward (born 5 December 1941 in Highgate, London) is a former football referee and assistant referee. During his career he officiated in the English Football League and Premier League, as well as in FIFA-sanctioned matches.[1] He resided in New Southgate, London.
Career
[edit]Ward started his career in 1962, serving the South East Counties, Spartan, Athenian and Isthmian leagues, before becoming a Football League linesman in 1974. His first match was a Second Division game between Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest. In 1980, he was promoted to the Referees List of the Football League; his first match was between Lincoln City and Wigan Athletic.
Ward reached the normal retirement age of 48 in 1990, but he was retained for a further three seasons along with other high-performing referees. He did not have Premier League appointments initially on its formation in 1992-1993 but was regularly chosen for matches in the second half of the season. His final match was Liverpool v Coventry City in April 1993.
When Arsenal moved from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium in 2006, he was appointed Arsenal’s Hon Referees Liaison Officer.
Appointments
[edit]Ward's notable appointments include:
- FA trophy Final at Wembley between Altrincham and Runcorn
- FA Vase Final 1979
- Football League Cup Semifinal 1993
- West Germany vs Brazil (Linesman) 1981
- Reserve referee football league cup final 1989
- Linesman European cup winners cup final 1989 Barcelona vs Sampdoria (referee George Courtney)
Testimonial Matches
[edit]In addition to Robin Wainwright and George Parish, Ward refereed testimonial matches for:
- Glenn Hoddle
- Ossie Ardiles
- Pat Jennings
- Ray Clemence
- Chris Hughton
- Ron "Chopper" Harris
- Tony Gale
- Ray Kennedy
- Graham Rix
- Tony Adams
- Ron Hillyard
- Terry Gibson
- Barry Fry
- Danny Blanchflower
- Eddie Baily
- David O'Leary
- Michael Watson
- Alan Nelmes
- Mick Leach
- Ray Kennedy
- Keith Millen
- Tony Gale
Deliberate handball
[edit]Ward became the first referee to dismiss a player for deliberate handball when he sent off Reading player Lawrie Sanchez in a match against Oxford in August 1982. Ten days later he dismissed Colin Todd of Nottingham Forest against Manchester United; Todd became the first Division One player to be sent off for handball.
Numbers board
[edit]As fourth official for England v Ireland in 1986 Ward was the first official to use the numbers board for substitutions, the referee was Clive Thomas of Wales.
Private life
[edit]He married in August 1963, and has two children and four grandchildren.[citation needed] He worked for 35 years for Mirror Group Newspapers. He is a keen follower of cricket and baseball.
References
[edit]- Football League Handbooks 1974–1992
- Rothmans Year Books 1980 - 1992
- ^ "News Archive". Enfield Town Football Club. February 2003. Retrieved 2 December 2011.