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#Post#: 58885--------------------------------------------------
Fred Lindop (Rugby League referee)
By: John Treleven Date: January 25, 2023, 1:53 am
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Fred Lindop: Former rugby league referee dies, aged 84
Former rugby league match official Fred Lindop, who refereed the
1970 World Cup final, four Challenge Cup finals and many Test
matches, has died aged 84. Lindop, who was part of the Wakefield
society of referees, famously took charge of the 1980 all-Hull
Challenge Cup final - won by Kingston Rovers. His final game was
the 1988 final between holders Halifax and Wigan, and he
received the MBE a year later.
"Fred was a role model for me, current referee Ben Thaler said.
He will go down as one of the greatest officials to ever grace
the game of rugby league. His contribution to the sport goes
well beyond that of a referee, inspiring many young players
through the amateur clubs of Eastmoor and Oulton, as well as his
dedication to moving officials to a new level - he really was a
one-off."
His work as a coach at local clubs Eastmoor, Oulton and with the
University of Sheffield were all part of his wider contribution
to the sport.
"Following the sad loss of David Oxley, the sport of rugby
league will again be united in paying tribute to Fred Lindop for
his immense contribution," Rugby Football League chair Simon
Johnson said. He showed remarkable longevity as a referee,
earning respect from players and admiration from supporters and
television viewers, as he became a familiar figure on the BBC on
winter Saturday afternoons."
#Post#: 58908--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fred Lindop (Rugby League referee)
By: JCFC Date: January 25, 2023, 1:33 pm
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In the sixties there were several fine RL officials, but when
the young G F Lindop appeared on the scene, he brought a whole
new dimension to the role. Athletic, fit unfailingly accurate
and consistent, and stylish without being flashy, he set the
tone for successors to try to follow, though few have come near
him. When a young fan asked him to sign his autograph book as he
arrived to take charge of a match at Thrum Hall, Mr Lindop
modestly explained that he wasn't a player - but seemed pleased
with the reply that he would not be being asked if he were, and
duly signed.
I have no doubt, when asked who was the best referee I have ever
seen in any code, in answering "Fred Lindop."
#Post#: 58922--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fred Lindop (Rugby League referee)
By: Hendo Date: January 26, 2023, 1:04 am
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Sad to hear about Fred Lindop, as stated above he was an
outstanding referee.
In my younger days there were 3 refs who stood out for me -
Lindop, Billy Thompson and Robin Whitfield. If RL was on
Grandstand on Saturday afternoon it was almost invariably one
of these 3 refereeing
#Post#: 73331--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fred Lindop (Rugby League referee)
By: JCFC Date: December 31, 2023, 3:33 pm
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When scrolling through the list of people who died in 2023
today, I was sad to discover that another International and Cup
Final Rugby League referee, John Holdsworth, had died in
February, aged 75.
He came on the scene some time after I had moved away from Rugby
League country, so I only saw him on television, rather than
live, but he always impressed me - and was clearly highly
regarded by those who knew rather more about these things.
#Post#: 74899--------------------------------------------------
Re: Fred Lindop (Rugby League referee)
By: BabyRef Date: January 28, 2024, 12:27 pm
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John Holdsworth had a rather unique style... not sure how it
would go down these days. Entertaining at the very least!
(HTM) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvX6lybLyZ8
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