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OUR HISTORY

THE STORY
BEHIND THE
whistle.

EST. 1948

More than seven decades of Berkshire refereeing.

From a small group of officials meeting in Reading in 1948 to generations of referees serving the game across Berkshire and beyond.

This is the story of the people, appointments and moments that helped shape our Society.

1948
WHERE IT BEGAN

The Wheatsheaf Hotel,
Reading.

On Thursday 15 December 1948, the inaugural meeting of the Society was held at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Reading.

The Society was formed by members of the London Society who lived in Berkshire and wanted the opportunity to referee locally. From those beginnings, a refereeing community serving the county began to take shape.

THROUGH THE YEARS

A SOCIETY
THAT KEPT
moving.

01 1950s
A SOCIETY TAKES SHAPE

Growing numbers.
Growing responsibility.

By 1950 the Society had been recognised by the RFU. Eighteen members covered 190 games for six affiliated clubs.

Membership and appointments continued to grow, while referee grading and assessment began to develop. Exchanges with other referee societies also started, initially with Oxfordshire and Kent.

500 GAMES REACHED
IN THE 1957–58 SEASON
02 1960s
BEYOND BERKSHIRE

Referees travelling
further afield.

Exchanges became an increasingly important part of Society life, giving Berkshire referees opportunities to officiate outside the county and experience different levels of rugby.

Berkshire officials also achieved notable appointments. Lionel Stephens was appointed as a touch judge for England v France at Twickenham, while Dennis Easby later served as touch judge for England v New Zealand.

800 NEARLY 800 GAMES
COVERED BY 41 REFEREES
03 1970s
A CHANGING GAME

Development becomes
more structured.

Referee assessment and grading continued to evolve. A card system introduced feedback from clubs and helped focus development on officials who needed support or showed the potential to progress.

In the 1975–76 season, Hilary Bradshaw joined the Society and enjoyed a successful first season — an important chapter in the Society's history.

04 1980s
DEVELOPMENT & RECOGNITION

Supporting the next
generation.

Following the death of Society Secretary Keith Munro during the 1980–81 season, his wife presented a trophy in his memory.

The award recognised a referee who had progressed, represented the Society on exchange and acted as an ambassador for Berkshire. The award continued to become part of Society tradition.

Referee development also became increasingly structured, with more reports, exchanges and formal grading arrangements.

05 1990s
PROGRESS & JUBILEE

Fifty years of
Berkshire refereeing.

Berkshire referees continued to progress through the higher levels of the game, while the Society maintained its commitment to appointments, exchanges and development.

In 1998 the Society celebrated its Jubilee season. Founder member and long-serving Secretary Sandy Young was recognised as a Life Member, a commemorative tie was created and members marked the anniversary with a river party on the Thames.

THE STORY CONTINUES

THEN.
NOW.
next.

The game changes.
The purpose remains.

Refereeing today looks very different from the world those first Berkshire officials knew in 1948.

Training, technology, development and the game itself have moved forward, but the Society continues to bring referees together, support their progression and help rugby happen across Berkshire.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY →
HONOURS & RECOGNITION

PEOPLE WHO MADE
their mark.

Recognising honorary life members and Berkshire officials who have served on RFU panels.

Honorary Life Members

  • D. H. Easby
  • L. C. Stephens
  • A. Young
  • W. Willis
  • J. Evans
  • M. Cock
  • A. Harris
  • P. Holroyd
  • D. Robertson
  • D. Tarrild-Ball
  • T. Davis

RFU Panel Referees

  • Dean Richards
  • G. P. Ashwell Retired
  • P. Emerson Retired
  • Ashley Rowden Retired

RFU Panel Assistant Referees

  • Andy Green
  • Simon Bourne
  • Ashley Rowden Retired
SOCIETY ARCHIVE

Historical information on this page has been adapted from the Society history compiled by Mike Cock, drawing on the Society's minutes and records.