Honorary members and retired numbers
Honorary members
|
| Dave Allan
| 46 |
Long-time member of the Rules & Mechanics Committee |
| Robert Banks
| 261 |
Long-time Director of Finance and an ex-President of BAFRA |
| Bill Bowsher
| 91 |
Founder of the European American Football Officials Association and an ex-President of BAFRA |
| Mark Bridgham
| 43 |
One of the American airbase officials who helped in the training of BAFRA members in the 1980s |
| Jim Briggs
| 31 |
A director from 1990-1995; long-time member of the Rules & Mechanics Committee; editor of the Manual of Football Officiating; President 2006-date |
| Charlie Dean-Young
| 258 |
Long-time training officer in the North West and Midlands; Director of Operations for 2½ years; Director of Finance 2004-2009 |
| Mike Fenton
| 142 |
Long-time director |
| Jerry Grunska
| 30 |
One of the American clinicians who came over to give clinics in Great Britain |
| Fletcher Kinnie
| 13 |
One of the American airbase officials who helped in the training of BAFRA members in the 1980s |
| Clyde Messenger
| 17 |
One of the American clinicians who came over to give clinics in Great Britain |
| Dave Norton
| 1 |
Founder of the Association and long-time President |
| Colin Payne
| 3 |
The founding Director of Operations |
Retired numbers |
| Tom Diamond |
437 |
Tom was a long standing member of the association, who officiated with great calm and good humour. He was always willing to help new members, and was a valued member of the association. His passing in 2004 was a great loss to officiating. |
| Bernard Bradley |
316 |
Bernard Bradley joined BAFRA in 1986 along with, amongst others, his brother Graham. At that time he was a valuable addition to the Midlands membership because of his willingness to go anywhere at anytime; something that continued throughout his officiating career.
During the 1990s he was selected to work on Brian Yates NDMA fixed crew as head linesman, the position he favoured throughout his officiating career. Apart from officiating at a number of bowl games was also selected to officiate at the Leicester Panthers vs. The Russian National Team in 1991 and the England vs. Scotland International in 1995.
In his last ten years he continued to officiate at the highest level in this country and was head linesman at the 2005 Division 2 Final and the 2007 College Bowl.
Although never the quickest or the fittest official, he was still a valuable member of any crew. His experience with the chains meant that you rarely noticed them, whether the chain crew was competent or otherwise. Rarely flustered, he tended to make the right calls at the right time and always knew how to handle an irate coach. Off the field he never took it too seriously, but was always happy to pass on advice and encouragement to new officials. Bernard Bradley 1949 - 2010 |
| Phil Cottier |
141 |
Phil joined BAFRA, Chiltern Region, towards the end of the 1980s and worked his first game in March 1989. He continued to progress as an official and worked his first Bowl Game as referee in 1993.
He was always willing to get involved in the administration of BAFRA, and to this end he was appointed Director of Training in 1995 and served on both the Examination Committee and the Rules and Mechanics Committee.
Phil had a passion for Flag Football, both officiating and coaching, he drafted and edited the first BAFRA Flag Mechanics Manual in the late 1990’s and became England Junior Coach at one stage. However, the highlight of his Flag career came in 2006 when he was selected to referee the World Schools Flag Final in Cologne.
He retired from the field in 2007 with a serious hip problem. He continued his involvement in football attending regional and national meetings and was a valuable member of the Flag Working Party.
After he retired from officiating Phil moved to The Isle of Man where he became a director of the TT Marshals Association. However, even as a retired official, he still voluntarily sat the exam each year as he wished to keep his rules knowledge up to date.
Phil passed away suddenly in May 2011. He will be greatly missed by his family and his friends both within and outside football. |
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