Former ref Alex rewarded for 50 years of service
A referee who graced the turf of every stadium in the football league during a 35-year career as an official has been recognised for his services to the game.
Alex Hamil, from Ettingshall Park, Wolverhampton, started out as a 23-year-old manning the whistle in a Wolverhampton Amateur League match between Pattingham and Heath Town.
His rise up the ranks took him through the local amateur leagues before he was taken on by the Football Association, first as a linesman in 1967 and then as a referee five years later.
Throughout his career the 79-year-old stayed true to his roots, continuing to represent the Wolverhampton Referees' Association (WRA) that he joined in 1959.
On Monday his tireless work for the WRA was recognised when he was presented with the 50 years of service award at a ceremony at The Clarendon pub in Chapel Ash.
"The WRA has always been a big part of my life and it's a big honour to receive the award," said Mr Hamil.
"We have had some big names come through over the years. Tom Bryan, who refereed the 1928 FA Cup Final and Harry Bryan who was linesman in the 1947 final; they were both WRA lads.
"I hope the legacy continues. It is my dream to see a young lad from the city make it to the top as a referee."
Father-of-one Mr Hamil, who worked at the Beacon Centre for the Blind in Sedgley during his refereeing career, says his role model was fellow Wolverhampton referee Jack Taylor.
"Jack was a big influence on my career," he said. "He was always there to offer advice and tell me how to deal with tricky situations."
Mr Hamil said he refereed at all of the original league grounds over the years, as well as hundreds of others at non-league and amateur level.
But the secret to his success was to keep his feet planted firmly on the ground - and his cards in his pocket.
"I wasn't the sort of ref to send players off all the time," he added.
"I'd always try and talk things through first. Refereeing takes a lot of bottle and good man management skills, no matter if you're at Old Trafford or Bantock Park.
"I always tried to keep things simple."
He was awarded an MBE by Prince Charles in 2013 for services to football and the visually impaired.
He served as president of the Wolverhampton Football Association and president of the JW Hunt Cup competition for more than 20 years.
