David Elleray
Encyclopedia
David Roland Elleray is an English
former football
referee, who officiated in the Football League
, the FA Premier League
and for FIFA
.
where he regularly attended meetings of the Dover Branch of the Referees' Association. While at the University of Oxford
, he was promoted through the Hellenic, Isthmian and Panel Leagues to become a Football League referee in 1983. He remained there until his inclusion on the original Premier League Referees’ List in 1992, and also became a FIFA referee in that year.
Elleray is a career geography
teacher, currently at Harrow School
, where he was director of boarding and house master of Druries House before his retirement in 2009. His teaching role entailed time conflicts with his role as a leading referee before his retirement. Elleray stepped down as a FIFA Referee in 1999, having officiated in 78 International matches in 35 different countries. He officiated at Wembley Stadium 13 times but was unable to officiate at the World Cup Finals
in France
in 1998 due to commitments at Harrow School.
One of the most recognisable figures in football, Elleray’s life featured in an award-winning documentary "The Man in Black" for Channel 4
.
In 2002 Elleray was voted onto the FA Council as the member for Independent Schools.
He retired from refereeing following his Premiership appointment at Newcastle
on 3 May 2003, when they beat Birmingham
1-0, the away side's Matthew Upson
being sent off during the match.
However, he was constantly recognised by coaches, players and fans for being a firm, fair and consistent referee. For example, after the 1994 FA Cup final, UEFA President Lennart Johnson told Elleray, "Europe needs referees like you. I do not care whether the second penalty was a foul or not. The easy decision would to have given nothing. You showed strength and courage. Congratulations!"
referee assessor and instructor.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
referee, who officiated in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
and for FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
.
Career
Elleray began refereeing in 1968 at the age of 13 in DoverDover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
where he regularly attended meetings of the Dover Branch of the Referees' Association. While at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, he was promoted through the Hellenic, Isthmian and Panel Leagues to become a Football League referee in 1983. He remained there until his inclusion on the original Premier League Referees’ List in 1992, and also became a FIFA referee in that year.
Elleray is a career geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
teacher, currently at Harrow School
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
, where he was director of boarding and house master of Druries House before his retirement in 2009. His teaching role entailed time conflicts with his role as a leading referee before his retirement. Elleray stepped down as a FIFA Referee in 1999, having officiated in 78 International matches in 35 different countries. He officiated at Wembley Stadium 13 times but was unable to officiate at the World Cup Finals
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1998 due to commitments at Harrow School.
One of the most recognisable figures in football, Elleray’s life featured in an award-winning documentary "The Man in Black" for Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
In 2002 Elleray was voted onto the FA Council as the member for Independent Schools.
He retired from refereeing following his Premiership appointment at Newcastle
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 3 May 2003, when they beat Birmingham
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
1-0, the away side's Matthew Upson
Matthew Upson
Matthew James Upson is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League. He is a central defender and he has played for England at full international level including at the 2010 World Cup....
being sent off during the match.
Incidents of note
During his refereeing career, Elleray is remembered for a number of incidents:- Failing to give Birmingham City a penalty in the 2001 Worthington Cup Final after Andy Johnson was brought down in the penalty area.
- Awarding a dubious penalty to Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the FA Cup FinalFA Cup Final 1994The 1994 FA Cup Final was the 49th FA Cup final to be held since the Second World War and was contested between Manchester United and Chelsea. United went into the final as Premier League champions, having won the title by eight points over Blackburn Rovers. They were bidding to become only the...
against ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in 1994. Elleray admitted in his autobiography, that he blew without thinking and although he knew he had made a major mistake, he could not change his mind. - Failed to award ChesterfieldChesterfield F.C.Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
a goal during the FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi final of 1997. A shot had hit the crossbar and then bounced over the line but was cleared by the MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
defence. Elleray failed to notice that a goal had been scored (however his assistant did, but was waved off) and play continued with the game ending 3-3 after extra time. Had the goal been given, the Spireites would have gained a 3-1 lead, and in his autobiography Elleray disputes the reason for disallowing the goal. - Counting an own goal against Peter EnckelmanPeter EnckelmanPeter Enckelman is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.-Aston Villa:...
after a throw in pass. It is disputed as to whether Enkelman touched the ball with the studs on his boots and some believe it should have been a corner. - For being the referee when Ryan GiggsRyan GiggsRyan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
scored his ‘wonder goal’ in the 1999 FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-final replay against ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
at Villa Park, and the day when David BeckhamDavid BeckhamDavid Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE is an English footballer who plays midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer, having previously played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, and A.C...
scored from his own half against WimbledonWimbledon F.C.Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
in 1996. - For having dismissed Roy KeaneRoy KeaneRoy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
four times. - For failing to dismiss ArsenalArsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
's Steve BouldSteve BouldStephen Andrew Bould is an English former football player and current coach. He played professionally for Stoke City, Torquay United, Arsenal and Sunderland.-Stoke City:...
in January 1998 when he pulled down ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
striker Gianluca VialliGianluca VialliGianluca Vialli is an Italian football manager and former player. Since retiring, he has gone into management and punditry and is a commentator for Sky Sport Italia....
who was clear on goal in a league game. As a result, Elleray was suspended for one match.
However, he was constantly recognised by coaches, players and fans for being a firm, fair and consistent referee. For example, after the 1994 FA Cup final, UEFA President Lennart Johnson told Elleray, "Europe needs referees like you. I do not care whether the second penalty was a foul or not. The easy decision would to have given nothing. You showed strength and courage. Congratulations!"
Since retiring
In 2004 he accepted the position as Honorary President of The Board of the Referees’ Association of England for three years, and is a FIFA and UEFAUEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
referee assessor and instructor.
External links
- David Elleray Referee Statistics at soccerbase.com
- Sunday Times article 10 January, 2010