Alf Grey

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Alfred Grey (born February 2, 1935)[1]) 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.

Contents

[edit] Career

Grey 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 (1972-73) was coincidentally the last one for another Great Yarmouth referee who achieved honours - Norman Burtenshaw.

In 1976 he was 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.

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.[2]

The replay was Grey's final domestic match. United won this game easily 4-0, the last goal an Arnold Mühren penalty.[3] 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.[4]

[edit] References

[edit] Print

  • Football League Handbooks, 1968-1971
  • Rothmans Football Yearbooks, 1972-1983

[edit] Internet

  1. ^ Birthdate confirmation: zerozero.eu website.
  2. ^ FA Cup Final 1983: soccerbase.com website.
  3. ^ FA Cup Final Replay 1983: soccerbase.com website.
  4. ^ Swiss international matches, including the match between Switzerland and Brazil, June 1983: RSSSF website.
Preceded by
Clive White
FA Cup Final Referee
1983
Succeeded by
John Hunting