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       #Post#: 63007--------------------------------------------------
       James Austin "Jim" Warburton (Atherton, Manchester) 19
       27-1998
       By: John Treleven Date: April 19, 2023, 5:30 am
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       Lancashire Telegraph
       4th June 1998
       Sporting Jim dies
       Sporting gentleman Jim Warburton has died, aged 70, after a long
       illness.
       Tyldesley born Jim was a Sale Lane United footballer in the
       1940s and 50s before injury forced him to quit playing.
       He started refereeing with the Leigh and District Association
       Football Referees Society and progressed through the Leigh and
       District S.S. League (now the Leigh Amateur League) through the
       Bolton Combination and Lancashire Combination to the Football
       League.
       He officiated at many F.A. Cup and county matches and was an
       international linesman. But he never forgot his roots and when
       not involved at the highest level could be seen refereeing local
       league games. When he hung up his whistle his experience became
       invaluable as a referee assessor and he was always willing to
       offer advice to those starting out in the game.
       His service earned him the Referees Association meritorious
       service award and the Lancashire F.A. order of merit. He was a
       life member of the Leigh Referees Society and Leigh Amateur
       League, having also served as League secretary.
       A founder member of Atherton Sports Council Jim's interests
       covered a variety of sports.
       Roy Birchall, president of Leigh and District Association
       Football Referees Society, paid tribute:"The district has lost
       one of its sporting gentleman and I a sporting colleague and
       friend. Long may his memory live on."
       Grandfather Jim leaves a wife, Jean, and a daughter, Margaret.
       The funeral took place on Friday at Overdale.
       #Post#: 63024--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Austin "Jim" Warburton (Atherton, Manchester
       ) 1927-1998
       By: Acme Thunderer Date: April 19, 2023, 10:02 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I often wondered whether Jim was part of the Warburtons of
       Manchester bakery empire. Unlikely but still wondering.
       #Post#: 63078--------------------------------------------------
       Re: James Austin "Jim" Warburton (Atherton, Manchester
       ) 1927-1998
       By: Boris10 Date: April 21, 2023, 2:48 am
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       Another unfamiliar name on these columns.My main memory is of
       him being listed as JJ Warburton in the press!Probably more
       familiar as a linesman than referee,but my memory can offer no
       more...........
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