BARKING & DAGENHAM REFEREE SOCIETY

Back in 1975, Barking and Dagenham Referees Society was formed following the demise of Hornchurch Referees Society in 1973, which had left a void between Romford Referees Society and Ilford Referees Society. It was during one of the many Sunday morning tea sessions at the home of Alf Nichols, Referees Secretary of the Dagenham & District Sunday League, the late Pat McCarthy and Dave Quinlan (pictured far right) suggested that we should start a Referees Society in the Dagenham area.

 

In early April 1975, Pat McCarthy, Dave Quinlan and Bert Holloway met in the Roundhouse pub in Dagenham to discuss the possibilities of such a venture. Dave took on the role of unofficial secretary and wrote to the Essex County Football Association seeking permission and help to start up. ECFA said that Brian Challis, Secretary of the Essex Referees Association should be contacted and his advice was extremely helpful.

 

Dave then wrote a letter outlining the intention and sent it to over 100 referees living in the surrounding area, inviting them to attend an inaugural meeting in August at the Railway Hotel, Dagenham East. Much to Pat, Dave and Bert's surprise about 40 referees attended, and that night a new Society was born. It was to be known as the Barking and Dagenham Referees Society and would meet at the Railway Hotel on alternate Thursdays. the committee was comprised of: Pat McCarthy - Chairman, Dave Quinlan - Secretary, Stan Legget - Treasurer, Bert Holloway - Social Secretary and Andy Issacs - Training Officer with committee meetings to be held at Dave's house. Pat invited Dudley Adey to become President.

 

The first official meeting of the Society was held in September 1975 with the President of the ERA Arthur Diamond as guest speaker, accompanied by Brian Challis. The meeting room allocated was to be shared with the Buffs, but unfortunately the hotel had double booked the room and so the first referees meeting was held in the lounge bar! It was not long before committee meetings were moved to the Winding Way club and the main Society meetings transferred to new headquarters at Dagenham FC  (now Dagenham & Redbridge FC) using the Isthmian Room (now The Recorder Room) where we have remained ever since.

 

The Society has had one Premiership Referee, one Football League Referee, five Football League Assistant Referees and currently has two active National League South Referees and Football League 4th Officals.

 

Dave Quinlan, now the current President, designed the Society's logo (above). It is an ever increasing circle spiraling to success. Now in our 44th year of helping to support local referees, long may it continue!