Alf Grey
Encyclopedia
Alfred Grey) is an English
former football
referee in the English Football League
and at FIFA
level. During his time on the List he was based in Great Yarmouth
, Norfolk
.
) was coincidentally the last one for another Great Yarmouth referee who achieved honours - Norman Burtenshaw
.
In 1972 he made his first appearance at Wembley as a Linesman in the FA Amateur Cup Final between Enfield and Hendon. His next appearance at Wembley was as a senior linesman to Clive Thomas
in the FA Cup Final
between Manchester United
and Southampton, which the Saints won 1-0 through a goal by Bobby Stokes
. One year later he was appointed to the FIFA List. In 1978 he made yet another appearance at Wembley this time as the referee for the FA Challenge Trophy Final between Altringham and Leatherhead
Thereafter Grey was a regular figure in top division and other key games. He was awarded the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Brighton at the end of his final season (1982-83
). He had refereed the Sussex
club earlier in the competition at Anfield
when they pulled off a shock victory in a fifth round tie, Liverpool also missing a penalty. For the third time in succession the Final went to a replay
. Brighton, who had been relegated, came remarkably close to an upset against Manchester United. The game ended 2-2 after extra-time but Gordon Smith of Brighton famously missed a great chance in the final minute of normal time that might have won the game. This was Grey's sixth appearance at Wembley
The replay was Grey's final domestic match. United won this game easily 4-0, the last goal an Arnold Mühren
penalty. He had one more game at international level in June 1983 - a friendly in Basle between Switzerland
and Brazil
, which was won by the visitors by 2-1.
After an active career which lasted 23 years Grey went on to become a referee assessor on the Football League. In 1990 he was appointed a s Delegate on the Premier League and in 1996 a UEFA Delegate.
He retired from UEFA JULY 31ST 2004.
Total length of service - 44 years and 4 months.
Grey is now actively involved with Gorleston Football Club (local town team in Division 1 of the Ridgeons League) as an Honorary Vice President
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
referee in the English Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and at FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
level. During his time on the List he was based in Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth, often known to locals as Yarmouth, is a coastal town in Norfolk, England. It is at the mouth of the River Yare, east of Norwich.It has been a seaside resort since 1760, and is the gateway from the Norfolk Broads to the sea...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
.
Career
Grey qualified as a referee in April 1960. He progressed via The Football Combination and became a Football League linesman in 1968. Three years later he became a supplementary referee and in 1972 he progressed to the full List. His first full season (1972-731972-73 in English football
The 1972–73 season was the 93rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League announced that a three-up, three-down system would operate between the top two divisions from the following season, rather than the traditional two-up, two-down system...
) was coincidentally the last one for another Great Yarmouth referee who achieved honours - Norman Burtenshaw
Norman Burtenshaw
Norman Burtenshaw is an English former football referee, who officiated in the English Football League and was also on the FIFA list...
.
In 1972 he made his first appearance at Wembley as a Linesman in the FA Amateur Cup Final between Enfield and Hendon. His next appearance at Wembley was as a senior linesman to Clive Thomas
Clive Thomas
Clive Thomas is a Welsh former football referee, who operated in the English Football League and for FIFA during his career. He came from Treorchy in the Rhondda Valley.-Career:...
in the FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
between Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Southampton, which the Saints won 1-0 through a goal by Bobby Stokes
Bobby Stokes
Bobby Stokes was an English footballer, well known for scoring the winning goal in the 83rd minute of the FA Cup Final for Southampton F.C. against Manchester United in 1976.-Early career:...
. One year later he was appointed to the FIFA List. In 1978 he made yet another appearance at Wembley this time as the referee for the FA Challenge Trophy Final between Altringham and Leatherhead
Thereafter Grey was a regular figure in top division and other key games. He was awarded the FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Brighton at the end of his final season (1982-83
1982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
). He had refereed the Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
club earlier in the competition at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
when they pulled off a shock victory in a fifth round tie, Liverpool also missing a penalty. For the third time in succession the Final went to a replay
Replay (sports)
In sports, a replay refers to a second game between two teams after the first game's results were either nullified or ended in a draw. A game may be nullified if the game's result is protested and the organizers ruled to replay the game...
. Brighton, who had been relegated, came remarkably close to an upset against Manchester United. The game ended 2-2 after extra-time but Gordon Smith of Brighton famously missed a great chance in the final minute of normal time that might have won the game. This was Grey's sixth appearance at Wembley
The replay was Grey's final domestic match. United won this game easily 4-0, the last goal an Arnold Mühren
Arnold Mühren
Arnold Johannes Hyacinthus Mühren is a Dutch football manager and former midfielder. His older brother Gerrie, also a midfield player, won three European Cup titles with Ajax in the early 1970s...
penalty. He had one more game at international level in June 1983 - a friendly in Basle between Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
and Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
, which was won by the visitors by 2-1.
After an active career which lasted 23 years Grey went on to become a referee assessor on the Football League. In 1990 he was appointed a s Delegate on the Premier League and in 1996 a UEFA Delegate.
He retired from UEFA JULY 31ST 2004.
Total length of service - 44 years and 4 months.
Grey is now actively involved with Gorleston Football Club (local town team in Division 1 of the Ridgeons League) as an Honorary Vice President