RON HOUNSELL (extracted from The History of North Middlesex Referees Society)

Ron was born in Wood Green and went on to Trinity Grammar School where his footballing talents could only reach the heights of the 3rd XI. He was called a ‘one footed goalkeeper’, that was a compliment, as far as Ron was concerned because he thought he could not kick with either foot. So not to be out done, it was here that he commenced his refereeing career by handling some of the School matches.
His war time career was with the RAE, which in turn led him to South Africa, where he was trained as a pilot. It was here in 1943 that he found that because of the high standard of his colleagues in playing football, that he had no chance of gaining a place in the Unit team.
So he turned to the ‘whistle’ again, this time it was little more serious and it was after one season that he gained his referee’s certificate from the South African Football Association.
On gaining his Pilot’s wings in South Africa, he went to Israel and the Middle East, still continuing to referee Services Football in those countries.
It was in Egypt where he received the first ‘Plum Appointment’ of his career, Referee in the match, British Services v Combined Services; it was played in Cairo.
On returning to civilian life in July 1946 he contacted Bill Huggett, then Superintendent of the Lonsar Training Centre and again took his referee’s examination, this time with Middlesex County Football Association. He passed and as Class 3 commenced his refereeing career on the Middlesex, Nemean and Southern Olympian Leagues advancing to the Corinthian and South East Counties Leagues. He also commenced ‘lining ‘on the Athenian League Reserve Section, a League he was proud to have served on for 20 years. Graduating through these Leagues to Class 1, he was promoted to the Football Combination League Referees List in 1952.
Then in 1959 he was promoted to Football League Linesmen’s List and during the next eight years, a series of star studded ‘Line Appointments’ came his way: ­

Ron has officiated in six countries, Belgium Egypt, Holland, Israel, South Africa and Spain as well as the Middle East.
1966 was his ‘World Cup’ year for Cup Final appointments. He refereed the Amateur Football Alliance Senior Cup, Middlesex County Football Association Senior Cup, Athenian League Senior Cup and the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup Finals.
In 1967 he was one of the first persons to become a Football Association Licensed Training Instructors.
It was in 1969 that Ron became a Football League Assessor.
One thing that annoys Ron in football is the total disregard of Linesmen by everybody other than the Referee of the day.
The thing that is wonderful to him is the excellence of Referees’ Administrators, who all at one time on Saturdays throughout the Country get thousands of Referees and Linesmen to their games.
One incident which has impressed itself on Ron’s mind, happened in Barcelona where, he was involved in an Inter Cities Fairs Cup Tie, he saw some of the players go into a Chapel, situated just off the players tunnel, to pray prior to the kick off of the match.
Over the years of lining on the Football League, he deems that without doubt Arthur Ellis was the finest referee he had the pleasure to officiate with.
Ron’s advice to young referees coming into the game is to referee as often as possible to gain experience in the attempt to reach the top, but above all never be afraid to take advice.
Over many years he has served referees so well not only with ‘North Middlesex’, where he was in charge of the Training Centre for 20 years, but during that time he has taken charge of the Training Centers of the Amateur Football Alliance and the London Referees Societies.
He was a founder member of the Amateur Football Alliance Referees Society and is a Vice President of it.
In 1973 he was presented with the Referees Association Long and Meritorious Service Award by John Meade MBE, Chairman of the Southern Division of the Referees Association.
Any one who has been able to achieve this record must have a good woman behind him and without the unselfish support of Julie it would not have been possible. Ron has always been very grateful for her support and that given to him by their two children Debbie and Neil. Unfortunately Julie is no longer with us.
He was elected President of ‘North Middlesex’ in 1977 and made a Life Vice President in 1980.
In 1996, be was further honored at Arsenal Football Club when John Hewson, Secretary of the Southern Division of the Referees Association, presented him with the Referees Association 50 Years Service Award.
There is another side to Ron, which may not immediately come to mind and that is in the world of cricket, where he was more than useful in his day. As a First Class umpire he has toured with the CCC to Australia and New Zealand. On the home front he has umpired on more than one occasion at Lords for the MCC.
Ron retired to live in Sussex with his second wife Maureen and he continues to keep his statistics on all Premier and Football League Referees.

This biography was taken from the book - The History of North Middlesex Referees Society - 50 years - 1949 to 1999 - by Charles Lifford.