Howard Bevan has seen it all. Red cards that would have been waved on in his day. Games called off for “wet pitches” when he used to play if you could walk on it . And now, a gold whistle to mark six decades in the middle.
The 77 year old referee was honoured at the City Ground earlier this month, receiving an engraved trophy from FA chair Debbie Hewitt before England Women’s World Cup qualifier against Iceland .
THE NUMBERS
Sixty years. Almost 4,000 games. Appearances at Notts County, Nottingham Forest and Mansfield Town . And still going strong.
“I’ve done 44 games so far this season and did 67 last,” Bevan says. “Over the years I must have refereed almost 4,000 matches.”
THE CHANGES
Bevan has witnessed the game transform. Not always for the better, in his view.
“Back when I first started refereeing, things were so different. You wouldn’t see games called off because if you could walk on a pitch, you could play on it. Nowadays, there’s a lot more care for players’ welfare, which is a good thing.”
The rules have changed too. “Some tackles would have gone unpunished in the past, which are now certainly worthy of a red card.”
THE LOVE
After 60 years, you might expect fatigue. Not Bevan.
“I still enjoy it as much as I used to, perhaps even more so now than when I was younger. It’s the enjoyment that keeps you going so long.”
The familiarity helps. “Nowadays, when I referee matches, I know the assistants, I know other referees and even the players and coaches to a certain extent. I think that’s what it’s all about, when you know the people.”
THE HONOUR
The presentation at the City Ground was special. Bevan had been due to referee a game that day, but knew which he’d prefer.
“It’s all very touching, and Debbie’s words were lovely, she spoke so kindly about me. It was a brilliant day.”
Hewitt, a Notts County supporter whose father was an amateur referee, was full of praise: “To acknowledge Howard and his achievement of six decades is incredible. Sixty years’ service shows determination, commitment and resilience. On behalf of everyone in English football, a huge thank you.”
THE VERDICT
Sixty years. Four thousand games. And still going.
Howard Bevan is a legend of the middle. And he’s not stopping yet.
