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#Post#: 39631--------------------------------------------------
Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: Leggy
Date: November 10, 2021, 2:59 am
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Please forgive this personal indulgence; but I am very sad to
report that, after a long illness, Jeff died a couple of days
ago at the cruelly young age of 63.
Known to some as "Jeff the Ref", he spent around 40 years as
part of the refereeing family, starting on the council parks of
South East London and rising to be a Premier League Assistant
Referee officiating at Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and
Highbury (among many others). He almost made it to the National
List, and was a damn good referee who had a rapport with the
players that many (including me) envied. He know the Laws and
he also knew how to apply them using judgement tempered with
empathy.
Off the Field of Play, Jeff supported the refereeing world as a
Licensed FA Instructor, coach, match observer and mentor to many
up and coming referees. He was a founder of the Referees'
Academy attached to Charlton Athletic FC - providing a "safe
space" for many young referees to learn their trade and build
confidence.
Jeff - like many of his generation - had the view that if
something was not as it should be to complain was not enough.
Action was required. This led to stints serving on, and
leading, many refereeing based committees and associations.
Jeff was also joint owner of A&H International, the leading
supplier of refereeing kits for many years.
For many years, Jeff took his unique presenting style to RA
meetings up and down the country and even occasionally abroad
(well Jersey, but it counts!) and was entertaining and
inspiring. He had the view that any referee could "make it" as
long as they really wanted to and was prepared to put in the
hard work.
Above all, he was great company, he was my best friend and to
say that he will be very much missed is the understatement of
the year. Jeff's wife, Fiona, supported him throughout his
on-field and off-field refereeing career and could not have done
any more for him as his illness gradually and wickedly took Jeff
from her.
Rest in peace, Jeff and thanks for 38 years of happy memories.
Andy Legg
#Post#: 39632--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: GingerReferee
Date: November 10, 2021, 3:25 am
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--- Quote from: Leggy link ---
>
> Please forgive this personal indulgence; but I am very sad to
report that, after a long illness, Jeff died a couple of days
ago at the cruelly young age of 63.
>
> Known to some as "Jeff the Ref", he spent around 40 years as
part of the refereeing family, starting on the council parks of
South East London and rising to be a Premier League Assistant
Referee officiating at Old Trafford, White Hart Lane and
Highbury (among many others). He almost made it to the National
List, and was a damn good referee who had a rapport with the
players that many (including me) envied. He know the Laws and
he also knew how to apply them using judgement tempered with
empathy.
>
> Off the Field of Play, Jeff supported the refereeing world as
a Licensed FA Instructor, coach, match observer and mentor to
many up and coming referees. He was a founder of the Referees'
Academy attached to Charlton Athletic FC - providing a "safe
space" for many young referees to learn their trade and build
confidence.
>
> Jeff - like many of his generation - had the view that if
something was not as it should be to complain was not enough.
Action was required. This led to stints serving on, and
leading, many refereeing based committees and associations.
Jeff was also joint owner of A&H International, the leading
supplier of refereeing kits for many years.
>
> For many years, Jeff took his unique presenting style to RA
meetings up and down the country and even occasionally abroad
(well Jersey, but it counts!) and was entertaining and
inspiring. He had the view that any referee could "make it" as
long as they really wanted to and was prepared to put in the
hard work.
>
> Above all, he was great company, he was my best friend and to
say that he will be very much missed is the understatement of
the year. Jeff's wife, Fiona, supported him throughout his
on-field and off-field refereeing career and could not have done
any more for him as his illness gradually and wickedly took Jeff
from her.
>
> Rest in peace, Jeff and thanks for 38 years of happy memories.
> Andy Legg
>
--- End Quote ---
He sounded like a wonderful person taken from this cruel world
too soon. RIP
#Post#: 39633--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: Conkernut
Date: November 10, 2021, 3:33 am
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Had the pleasure of meeting him at one of our RA meetings. He
was a very nice chap, exactly as Leggy described.
#Post#: 39648--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: bmb
Date: November 10, 2021, 7:31 am
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He sounds like he was an amazing person. Sorry for your loss
Leggy and thoughts and condolences with his wife & family. Thank
you for sharing about him with those of us who never met him x
#Post#: 39653--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: RCG
Date: November 10, 2021, 11:39 am
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RIP Jeff, great bloke, wise old owl (or was it bald eagle
😆)
Worked with him a few times and saw him at events, usually
trying to flog me something.
A pioneer in many, many ways.
My thoughts to his family and those who knew him best
#Post#: 39654--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: rustyref
Date: November 10, 2021, 11:41 am
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I've known Jeff well for many years, and I honestly don't think
it would be possible to find anyone who has contributed more to
refereeing. A huge number of referees in the South East will
tell you that Jeff has had a positive impact on their refereeing
journeys at some point in time.
RIP Jeff.
#Post#: 39657--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: ryan80
Date: November 10, 2021, 1:46 pm
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RIP I remember him through ordering items from A&H international
as a young referee.
Such a young age.
#Post#: 39661--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: Wollongong Ref
Date: November 10, 2021, 3:32 pm
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As a referee in Australia, I bought many resources from Jeff for
many years. To own a set of Touchline flags was a status symbol.
I was able to meet him on a trip to the UK. A passionate
referee who went above and beyond to help others, he will be
deeply missed.
Condolences to his family and friends.
Vale Jeff Pettitt
#Post#: 39665--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: RefObserver
Date: November 11, 2021, 12:58 am
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Was lucky to have known Jeff for over 30 years, through A&H as
well as working with him on several occasions.
A lovely man who always had time to speak to you.
A huge loss to the refereeing community.
Thoughts with his family.
R.I.P. Jeff
#Post#: 39686--------------------------------------------------
Re: Jeff Pettitt
DIR By: flipmode
Date: November 11, 2021, 1:23 pm
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Can only echo everything mentioned here. Only had the pleasure
of meeting Jeff on two occassions. He had that uncanny ability
that only a few posses where who you felt like you'd known a
lifetime, even if it was the first time meeting him.
A gentle, affable guy and the outpouring of grief across the
refereeing community and on social media, only goes to show what
a solid 10/10 soul Jeff was. He will be sorely missed my many.
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