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#Post#: 17653--------------------------------------------------
Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: Timbo
Date: May 25, 2020, 8:03 am
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I came across these whilst searching for something else last
week :-
HTML https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6593659.football-tributes-pour-oxons-mr-football/
HTML https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/6593588.tory-councillor-served-ward-dedication/
i had understood Mr Matthews to have been a FL referee who left
the list in the mid-1960's. However, one of the articles suggest
that he did not make the middle ?
I think that he has been mentioned previously in the context of
officials who came from places that few would have heard of !
#Post#: 17656--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: May 25, 2020, 10:21 am
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Yes, he was a FL referee for four seasons from 1962 to 1966, but
it was only in his last season that his address changed from
plain Bicester to the wonderful Steeple Aston. I am not sure why
Norman left the list after just four seasons, but clearly he was
another referee who continued to give fine service to the game
he loved after leaving the FL list.
#Post#: 17672--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: John Treleven
Date: May 27, 2020, 2:09 am
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One consideration with the more exotic addresses is that the
F.L. generally did not name the smaller places in their
circulars but the bigger place nearby.
John Martin of Four Marks near Alton being an example whereas
for a referee it was appropriate with "four marks" out of five
from an assessment at the time would have been sought after
#Post#: 17676--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: Leggy
Date: May 27, 2020, 4:15 am
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Ditto Ray Lewis, although his home town (village?) of Great
Bookham was always amusing to the likes of Barry Davis and Motty
on MOTD. Saying he was from Leatherhead (where he could often
found - post retirement - on Isthmian League home games) was
much less interesting.
#Post#: 17678--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: olddeagle
Date: May 27, 2020, 5:00 am
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He was a regular at Bedford Town matches from the mid 50s at
first on the Metropolitan League (reserve matches), then on the
Southern League line and finally middle. He was, let's say,
generously built and not the fastest, and used to cop some stick
from the crowd for that reason but always seemed well in control
of his matches. His last visit, in his last season on the FL
list, was the FA Cup second round replay v Brighton in December
1965 which Bedford won 2-1 after being one down. After the
equaliser there was a pitch invasion and he was reported as
telling the management that he would abandon the match if there
was any repeat. There was, of course, after Bedford's late
winner, but fortunately for them he thought better of it and
allowed the match to conclude.
This rather blurred photo is from the first match (drawn 1-1) at
the old Goldstone ground.
#Post#: 17717--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: mutn3
Date: May 28, 2020, 6:10 pm
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If we're going for a little whimsy, can I nominate Frank
Freemantle of Sturton-le-Steeple, a Supplimentary Referee from
1920-1924..
In my note gathering for Notts, I remember touring the local
churchyard to see what I could dig up (😊), a daughter's
name or something, but found not a dime.
#Post#: 17739--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: Timbo
Date: May 30, 2020, 3:42 am
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--- Quote from: Acme Thunderer link ---
>
> Yes, he was a FL referee for four seasons from 1962 to 1966,
but it was only in his last season that his address changed from
plain Bicester to the wonderful Steeple Aston. I am not sure why
Norman left the list after just four seasons, but clearly he was
another referee who continued to give fine service to the game
he loved after leaving the FL list.
>
--- End Quote ---
Looking at Norman Matthews' teaching career, I wonder whether
the move from Bicester to Steeple Aston, which is about nine
miles away, was an actual physical move rather than the FL
merely redescribing his address ? Presumably the FL would use
the address and place as given to them by the individual
official ?
When I next retrieve the Christmas decorations from the loft, I
will try to locate a photograph or two of Norman Matthews,
albeit from some years later. I am sure that I have some
Hellenic League stuff tucked away, including league handbooks
and photographs.
#Post#: 17754--------------------------------------------------
Re: Norman Matthews - Steeple Aston, Oxfordshire
DIR By: olddeagle
Date: May 30, 2020, 3:37 pm
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--- Quote from: Timbo link ---
>
> [quote author=Acme Thunderer link=topic=1499.msg17656#msg17656
date=1590420081]
> Yes, he was a FL referee for four seasons from 1962 to 1966,
but it was only in his last season that his address changed from
plain Bicester to the wonderful Steeple Aston. I am not sure why
Norman left the list after just four seasons, but clearly he was
another referee who continued to give fine service to the game
he loved after leaving the FL list.
>
--- End Quote ---
Looking at Norman Matthews' teaching career, I wonder whether
the move from Bicester to Steeple Aston, which is about nine
miles away, was an actual physical move rather than the FL
merely redescribing his address ? Presumably the FL would use
the address and place as given to them by the individual
official ?
When I next retrieve the Christmas decorations from the loft, I
will try to locate a photograph or two of Norman Matthews,
albeit from some years later. I am sure that I have some
Hellenic League stuff tucked away, including league handbooks
and photographs.
[/quote]
I think it must have been an actual move. In the Southern League
handbook for 58/9 which is the oldest I have, his address is
"Cranleigh", Bucknall Road, Bicester, which is also the address
in the FL handbooks up to 63/4 (I don't have 64/5), whereas in
65/6 it is "Cedar Court, Steeple Aston, Oxford". Steeple Aston
is apparently further away from Oxford than Bicester is, but
because "Oxford" was part of the postal address at Steeple
Aston, which would be an unfamiliar name to most people, he was
described as from Oxford in programmes in his last season, more
often than when he lived in Bicester. Illogical but it was
probably quite common.
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