Owen Venning - Life Vice President

Owen Venning hailed from Exeter in Devon, but moved to the bright lights of Edmonton, North London in 1960, becoming an avid supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.  He had supported Surrey County Cricket Club from afar since 1948, but, following his move to London, had the opportunity to see them ‘live’.

Owen joined the London Referees Society, but two years later joined North Middlesex Referees Society.  Already officiating on the Southern League, Owen also joined the Metropolitan League.  He was promoted to the Football League ‘Linsemans’ List in 1965.  Owen also became a Football League Assessor, and served in that position for more than 25 years.

Owen served the North Middlesex as Editor for six seasons from 1965; was Vice Chairman for five years from 1969;  Chairman for three years from 1974; and was elected a Life Vice President of the Society in 1979.

Over the years, Owen worked closely with Arthur Pearce, another stalwart of North Middlesex.  Their views on the future of the Referees Association generally coincided,  and they finally produced the ‘Vennearce Report’ detailing their visions for the Referees Association.  The Report was distributed at Margate, the venue of the 1968 RA Conference.  It aroused much interest, and Owen and Arthur both found themselves being invited to Societies near and far to discuss their proposals more fully.

Owen also served as editor of ‘The Football Referee’, the national magazine of the RA, doing a typically competent job until the RA Treasurer died, whereupon Owen took up that role.  He also went on to become the first full time paid General Secretary of the Referees Association, and held this post until 1983. 

When he took up the post of General Secretary, the time came to say goodbye to North Middlesex, the Society losing the services of a valued member.  When he left, his friend an colleague, Arthur Pearce, said ‘Owen, we are glad to be losing you, but only because we are proud that you are leaving us for the greater good of referees and refereeing.  Thank you for all you have done for North Middlesex, and we wish you God Speed and success in your new sphere’.