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#Post#: 35288--------------------------------------------------
Peter Willis
DIR By: ryan80
Date: July 21, 2021, 1:40 pm
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Sad news that the referee of the 1985 FA cup final Peter Willis
has died at the age of 83.
Famous of course for sending off Kevin Moran during that match,
the first red card in a FA cup final match. RIP
#Post#: 35291--------------------------------------------------
Re: Peter Willis
DIR By: John Treleven
Date: July 21, 2021, 3:10 pm
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Former F.A. Cup final referee Peter Willis dies aged 83​
Northern Echo
North-East football has been paying tribute to former top flight
referee Peter Willis, who has died at the age of 83.
Mr. Willis, who was born in Newfield, near Bishop Auckland, made
footballing history in 1985 when he sent off Manchester United’s
Kevin Moran to become the first referee to issue a red card in
an F.A. Cup final.
A police officer, who combined his full time job with his
refereeing, Mr. Willis began officiating in the Football League
in 1972 and also spent 18 years as the national president of the
Referees’ Association.
Northern League president George Courtney, himself a former
referee who officiated in an F.A. Cup final, said: “It's such
sad news that Peter has passed away. He was a stalwart of the
league and one of the best referees in the country - respected
by all those who played and worked alongside him. He was
president of the Referees' Association for 18 years and gave
invaluable help and advice to referees at all levels of the game
throughout his career. I have known Peter for more than 60 years
- we came up through the leagues together and he will be a huge
miss to the football community in the region and nationally. He
was one of the best people you could hope to meet.”
Mr Willis was a footballer himself prior to his refereeing
career, joining Newcastle United as a goalkeeper and playing in
the Northern League for Willington and Tow Law as well as
winning a Wearside League medal with Langley Park.
A village bobby in the Quarrington Hill area, east of Durham, Mr
Willis played for his local side when constabulary duty allowed,
and stepped in to referee a match in 1963 when the designated
official failed to turn up.
The refereeing bug clearly bit, and he embarked on a hugely
successful career that reached his peak when he was chosen to
officiate in the 1985 F.A. Cup final at Wembley, a match that
will always be remembered for his decision to send off Moran.
“I saw what happened and had a decision to make,” he said of the
incident. “I could have put the whistle on the ground and walked
off, or applied the laws of the game and sent Moran off.”
After retiring from football, Mr Willis spent time as the
captain of Crook Golf Club.
Mike Amos, a former Northern Echo journalist and close friend of
Mr Willis, paid tribute in his blog, Grass Routes, saying:
“Peter was 83, he was an absolutely top man and he was my mate.”
#Post#: 35292--------------------------------------------------
Re: Peter Willis
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: July 21, 2021, 3:21 pm
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--- Quote from: ryan80 link ---
>
> Sad news that the referee of the 1985 FA cup final Peter
Willis has died at the age of 83.
>
> Famous of course for sending off Kevin Moran during that
match, the first red card in a FA cup final match. RIP
>
--- End Quote ---
Sorry to hear the news. A very mixed reaction to the sending off
of Kevin Moran and his handling of the 1985 Final generally, but
I think he was right on the former count and his handling of the
Final was reasonable. RIP Peter.
#Post#: 35294--------------------------------------------------
Re: Peter Willis
DIR By: Claretman
Date: July 21, 2021, 4:15 pm
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Very sad news rip peter.
A very good referee in his day.
A good performance in the f a cup final he refereed.
#Post#: 35332--------------------------------------------------
Re: Peter Willis
DIR By: Hendo
Date: July 23, 2021, 2:03 am
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I have read comments elsewhere that Mr Willis appointment, which
was a surprise as he wasn’t a FIFA ref, may have had something
to do with political manoeuvres at F A HQ. Reading between the
lines I wonder if the implication is that Freemasonry may have
had a part to play.
I have also read that Mr Willis never watched highlights of the
Final, convinced as he was that Morans sending off was right so
no need to check it
RIP
#Post#: 35349--------------------------------------------------
Re: Peter Willis
DIR By: MattTRS
Date: July 23, 2021, 5:00 pm
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Very sad news about Peter. He was an absolute Gent. RIP, Peter.
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