Referee Duo Recognised by the FA for 50 Years of Service to the Game
Two former referees have each received national recognition after clocking up more than half a century of service to football.
Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA Chair, Brian Coddington, and Honorary Life Member of the Association, Dave Tipper, were each presented with FA 50-Year Service Awards last night at the Sheffield Referees’ Association annual Christmas quiz.
Brian and Dave both picked up the whistle in the early 1970s and have played pivotal roles in growing and developing our local game.
Brian has enjoyed a 30-year career in the professional game, officiating in the English Football League and Premier League. His career highlights include seeing the pride on his dad’s face as he walked out at Wembley to conduct a pitch inspection for the EFL Trophy Final, being the assistant referee for the 1996 League Cup Final between Aston Villa and Leeds at Wembley, and officiating at the very top level of the English domestic game.
Off the field, Brian has been a member of the Sheffield Referees’ Association since 1971 and a committee member since the 1980s, holding a number of pivotal roles such as secretary, vice-chair, and chair.
In 1996, he became a representative to the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, going on to become a council member, board member, and chair of the Association—a position he still proudly holds today.
Dave’s journey into football started as a player in the 1960s with local sides Frecheville Community FC and Spa Club FC.
He qualified as a referee in 1970 and immediately joined the Sheffield Referees’ Association as a member, later becoming a committee member in the 1980s.
Dave has also held multiple positions at the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA, serving as the RA delegate to the County FA for 15 years, a Disciplinary Committee member for 5 years, and being made an Honorary Life Member of the Association in 2020.
The FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, recognised the duo’s indebted long service to football as being "valued more than they will ever know." Along with a letter thanking them for their exceptional commitment and dedication, both were also presented with a commemorative medal and pin badge.
Everybody at the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA would like to congratulate Brian and Dave on their amazing achievement and thank them both for their exceptional commitment and dedication to the game.