Clive Thomas
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Clive Thomas (born June 22, 1936[1]) is a Welsh former football referee, who operated in the English Football League and for FIFA during his career. He came from Treorchy in Mid Glamorgan.[2]
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[edit] Career
Thomas officiated in both the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. During a long and sometimes controversial career as a referee in the old English First Division he was known as "The Book" for his strict interpretation of the laws of the game.
Thomas drew the ire of Everton fans when, during a 1977 FA Cup semi-final against city rivals Liverpool, he disallowed a goal which seemed legitimate and had gone largely uncontested by even the Liverpool supporters.[3]
He also blew the final whistle seconds before Zico of Brazil scored what might have been the winning goal in a 1978 World Cup match against Sweden.[4] He was also strongly opposed to extravagant goal celebrations, going so far as to break up celebrations and order players back to their positions for the re-start.
In 1984 he published his autobiography, By the Book.[5]
In 2004 he was elected to the largely ceremonial position of "High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan".[6] He currently lives in Porthcawl, South Wales.
[edit] References
[edit] Print
- By the Book, Clive Thomas, Collins Willow 1984, ISBN 0002180839
[edit] Internet
- ^ Birthdate confirmation: zerozero.pt website.
- ^ Confirmation of place of residence during career: example from Welsh Football Data Archive website.
- ^ Disallowed goal for Everton v. Liverpool, 1977 FA Cup semi-final: Guardian Unlimited website.
- ^ Disallowed goal for Brazil v. Sweden, World Cup 1978, : WorldCup365.com website.
- ^ Autobiography, "By the Book": TMWMTT.com website.
- ^ High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan, 2004: BBC.co.uk website.
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