Former top referee Peter Reeves, of Leicester, dies
Peter Reeves, the former Football League and FIFA referee, has died at the age of 80.
Born and bred in Leicester, just a stone's throw from City's old Filbert Street ground, he worked his way up the refereeing ladder, culminating in two appearances at Wembley.
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Peter Reeves at the FA Charity Shield Final Wembley 1978
In 1978, he refereed the FA Charity Shield, which produced a 5-0 victory for Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest against Ipswich Town.
The following year, Reeves was in charge of the League Cup final, which saw Forest defeat Lawrie McMenemy's Southampton 3-2.
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In 1981, Reeves refereed a World Cup qualifier between Malta and East Germany before his final Football League game in April 1981, between Cardiff City and West Ham United, where he was given a standing ovation by the crowd at Ninian Park.
While at Gateway College between 1944 and 1949, Reeves played in the Leicester Boys team, managed by Jack Curtis, which reached the England Schools final against Salford.
The final was played over two legs – the first resulting in a 0-0 draw at Filbert Street in May 1947 in front of a crowd of 24,500. The second leg, at Old Trafford, in June, watched by a crowd limited to 36,000 due to wartime bomb damage, ended in a 2-0 defeat for Leicester after extra time.
Reeves also represented England Schools at full-back and, after leaving Gateway College, signed for Leicester City in 1950. However, he was released in 1952 without playing a first-team game.
While on national service, he continued to play semi- professionally for Mansfield Town, Nuneaton Borough and Grantham. But a serious knee injury at the age of 27 ended his playing days but sparked an illustrious career with the whistle.
Reeves was an active member of the local football community and, among other roles, he was Leicestershire County Youth FA secretary for 10 years and the Rolleston Charity Cup secretary for 20 years.
Reeves was presented with his England cap by the Football Association last year, in recognition of his outstanding service as a FIFA referee between 1978 and 1981.
Outside football, he was a sales director for many years at AW Swann & Co, Leicester.
In his later years, Reeves played bowls, becoming a member of Blaby Bowls Club and latterly Kirby Muxloe Bowls Club, where he became club president in 1998.
Reeves leaves two sons from his first marriage to June, and two step-sons from his second marriage to Joan, as well as eight grandchildren.
A celebration of Reeves' life will be held at St Bartholomew's Church, Kirby Muxloe, on Monday at 10.45am.
6 Comments
by City_C10
Friday, March 08 2013, 9:46AM
“Sad news, it sounds as though he had a good life and did something he loved. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends at this time.”
by Alanprichard
Thursday, March 07 2013, 8:59PM
“Yes very sad, my condolences to his loved ones he left behind. He had a great innings 80 is a good age nowadays. My old dad used to say if we last three score and ten we have had a great life. My dad passed on in his ninetieth year. RIP Peter, and receive your golden whistle from St Peter as you walk through the pearly gates. Say hi to Arthur Rowley for me please.”
by cleckheaton
Thursday, March 07 2013, 8:35PM
“Sorry to hear the sad news about Peter Reeves. Knew Peter from my time in Leicestershire Youth Football playing for New Parks Boys Club, a real gentleman.
Refereed in the days when you could referee a game with commonsense and had the respect of the players. In those days he could be refereeing in the first division at Stamford Bridge one week and the next at Hillcroft in the mutual league so knew the game from the grass roots.
Condolences to his family”
by Grafilbert
Thursday, March 07 2013, 8:33PM
“I played in a match many years ago that Peter Reeves refereed. This was for Roundhill in the Leicester Mutual Football Leagu! Either the week or two weeks before he had refereed Liverpool v Manchester Utd in the "old" Division 1. He had found himself with a free Saturday and had offered his services to the Mutual League. At the time we were not even in the top division but this shows what a top bloke Peter Reeves was.
RIP Peter Reeves and condolences to his family and friends.”
by Chappy1884
Thursday, March 07 2013, 4:01PM
“Didn't know that much about him either, it seems such a shame that referees today seem to be the centre of attention for getting things wrong, almost as if they want to make a name for themselves, whilst the truly great referees go unnoticed. RIP referee Sir.”
by ghostof66pah
Thursday, March 07 2013, 10:49AM
“Didn't really know Peter but heard that he was a really good ref in the days when refs could just ref and be respected.
God Bless...”