Former Bradford Referee Walter May has died.
The long-serving whistler passed away in hospital on Friday 15 January at the age of 90.
Bradford ARL Chairman Jack Strother said: “Walt was an apprentice-trained pattern maker at Crofts Engineers at Thornbury before becoming a publican at the Royal Standard, opposite Busby’s, on Manningham Lane in the early 1960s.
“Subsequently he was also mine host at the Carlisle Hotel, Carlisle Road.
“Walt was an exceptionally talented official in an era when referees were respected and stood no nonsense.
“He was very fair and had a wicked sense of humour that soon deflated a few egos.
“He went on to serve on our committee and was made a life member in recognition of his tremendous contribution to the amateur game in Bradford.”
Walter May’s funeral will be held on Thursday (28 January 2016) at 12:30pm at Nab Wood Crematorium, Bingley Road, Shipley BD18 4BG.
Attendees are requested not to wear black.
