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       #Post#: 104875--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
       Date: April 28, 2026, 6:18 am
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       --- Quote from: ajb95 link ---
       >
       > In response to poster above Hooper and Dowd are complete polar
       opposites. Dowd was a maverick who wasn’t afraid to make big
       decisions even if it was sometimes wrong. Hooper rarely gives a
       red card never mind a penalty.
       >
       > From days gone by- overrated: Riley, Poll, Durkin.
       > Underrated: Bennett, and I always liked Steve Dunn and Eddie
       Wolstenholme
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Dowd was very much like Kettle.. you never knew what was coming
       next.
       #Post#: 105651--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: Lanyardhater
       Date: May 11, 2026, 2:27 am
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       In the “way back when” category, may I belatedly add two of my
       all-time favourites who, although they got plenty of top-tier
       games, never seemed to get the really big ones: Ken Baker and
       Cliff Maskell.  Their styles were quite different:  Ken the
       rather charismatic no-nonsense ‘governor’, Cliff the very
       relaxed, low-key referee who made controlling a football match
       look so easy.  They both oozed experience - even in their first
       seasons on the FL.  I’m certain they would have handled the very
       big clashes with ease had they been given the chance.
       #Post#: 105653--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: Whistleblower
       Date: May 11, 2026, 3:27 am
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       I saw Cliff Maskell, another Cambridge based official,
       refereeing at Chelsea long, long before Stamford Bridge was
       redeveloped into the entertainments centre it is now and when
       there was a a large open stand. Maskell indeed refereed that
       match with relaxed, easy authority and a minimum of fuss.
       I saw Ken Baker several times; an authoritarian with a bit of a
       swagger about him. Having retired from the police service I
       believe he then had a much valued ministry as a Church of
       England clergyman. I bet the Flower Guild didn't get away with
       much on his watch !
       #Post#: 105712--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: Lanyardhater
       Date: May 11, 2026, 3:31 pm
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       Ah yes, the Ken Baker swagger.  Being a big fan, I tried it once
       in a grass roots game. Not having anything like Mr. Baker’s
       build or natural presence, I must have looked ridiculous as I
       strutted around trying to look Bakeresque. In fact one player
       said to me “Why are you walking like that ref?”.  I never did it
       again.  Moral to any young referees reading this: always be
       yourself, never try to copy anyone else, however much you may
       admire them.
       #Post#: 105726--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: badref
       Date: May 11, 2026, 4:15 pm
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       Trevor Kettle.
       #Post#: 105735--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: Acme Thunderer
       Date: May 12, 2026, 3:18 am
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       --- Quote from: Lanyardhater link ---
       >
       > Ah yes, the Ken Baker swagger.  Being a big fan, I tried it
       once in a grass roots game. Not having anything like Mr. Baker’s
       build or natural presence, I must have looked ridiculous as I
       strutted around trying to look Bakeresque. In fact one player
       said to me “Why are you walking like that ref?”.  I never did it
       again.  Moral to any young referees reading this: always be
       yourself, never try to copy anyone else, however much you may
       admire them.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       I never did master the Kirkpatrick / Fussey sprints! I saw Cliff
       Maskell several times at Selhurst Park and 'relaxed' was
       probably an appropriate word to describe his style of
       refereeing. In fact it was so relaxed that he didn't seem to
       bother with hand signals and it was all a bit frustrating at
       times trying to work out which way free kicks / throw ins were
       going.
       #Post#: 105738--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Underrated Officials
   DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
       Date: May 12, 2026, 4:18 am
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       --- Quote from: badref link ---
       >
       > Trevor Kettle.
       >
       --- End Quote ---
       Plenty on here have the good, the bad and the ugly when Kettle
       was around..
       He seemed to like Spotland particularly…
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