Sad news reached the Uhlsport Hellenic League office that former Referee and Match Observer Fred Weaving passed away on the morning of 17th May 2023.
Fred had not been in the best of health over recent years, suffering from cancer, but right up to the end of October 2022 Fred was still observing on the Hellenic League. This is even more remarkable given that Fred lived in Hemel Hempstead and his closest ground was over 80 miles round trip – this was excellent service to the Refereeing world and the UHL. Fred was still keen to travel into Gloucestershire to watch and pass on advice to Referees, but he had to restrict his travels as the cancer worsened.
Fred was well respected and there are many Referees who will have gained from his valuable advice.
Our thoughts are with his wife Valerie and the family at this sad time.
RIP Fred
Below is an article that was written a few months ago by ex-Hellenic League Referee Simon Parbery for the Chiltern District Referees Society.
Match observer Fred Weaving recently received two awards in recognition of his continued service to refereeing. Ian Hart, the Combined Counties League Observer Co-ordinator (pictured left), presented Fred with a 50 year refereeing medal on behalf of the FA. Simon Parbery (pictured right), presented Fred with a certificate from the RA recognising 60 years of membership since he joined East Devon RA in 1962.
Fred was grateful for both awards and recollected many happy memories of his career as a referee and match observer. He qualified as a referee in 1962 whilst in the Royal Marines and his services career enabled him to referee in Belgium, Malaysia, Singapore and Malta. In 1966, he was voted most promising young referee of the Armed Forces in Singapore and was appointed to the middle of the ‘Big Ships’ final. He
went on to officiate on the Hellenic, Spartan and Isthmian Leagues back in England, listing the Hellenic League Cup Final as one of his most memorable appointments.
After he retired from on-field officiating, he took up assessing duties, serving on the panels of the Spartan, Hellenic and Combined Counties Leagues. He also served as an appointments officer on the West Herts League and for the St Mary’s Cup competition. His ability to recruit officials from far and wide for the latter competition is legendary, and reflects the esteem in which he is held by officials that progressed to the highest levels of the game.
