Final Whistle Blown As Referee Terry Retires!
Popular Referee Development Officer Terry Thacker has vowed to continue his voluntary work in football despite retiring from the duties he’s carried o
He has ended his employment at the County Office which stretched to almost ten years where he’s had a considerable input into the progression of local match officials. Now he plans to continue his tutoring responsibilities as well as assisting with the appointment of referees to matches for his local Sunday league in the Colchester area.
Terry started working for the association in October 2002, and recalls: “I’ve enjoyed all my time at the Essex County FA, and a lot of what I did I was already doing for the Essex Referees Association as a volunteer before getting the job. I’m proud to have helped to increase the number of active referees in the County and improving levels of in-service training.”
Although Terry has officially retired, his quest to develop referees in Essex will continue. But he says his wife will have to adjust to him being at home for longer spells: “I’ve been asked to continue tutoring on the referee courses and will still be assessing referees for promotion. I’ll also probably be getting on Sue’s nerves!”
James Lisher will remain in the Referee Development department at the County Office and Terry thinks anyone looking to take up the whistle shouldn’t hesitate: “Since I started refereeing in 1973 I’ve meet so many good people involved in football and have made many friends. People often ask me why I wanted to be a referee. I can honestly say refereeing is a good hobby, and if you’re prepared to put the effort in the rewards are great.”
The Essex County FA website has commemorated Terry’s time at the County Office by producing a ‘Best of Thackerchat’ publication, detailing every contribution to his ‘question and answer’ feature since its beginning. If you’d like to download Best of Thackerchat, click on the link below. If you’re keen to explore the possibilities of refereeing in Essex, browse the 'Referees' section above. Other match official news is available on Twitter by following @EssexCountyFA.
Terry started working for the association in October 2002, and recalls: “I’ve enjoyed all my time at the Essex County FA, and a lot of what I did I was already doing for the Essex Referees Association as a volunteer before getting the job. I’m proud to have helped to increase the number of active referees in the County and improving levels of in-service training.”
Although Terry has officially retired, his quest to develop referees in Essex will continue. But he says his wife will have to adjust to him being at home for longer spells: “I’ve been asked to continue tutoring on the referee courses and will still be assessing referees for promotion. I’ll also probably be getting on Sue’s nerves!”
James Lisher will remain in the Referee Development department at the County Office and Terry thinks anyone looking to take up the whistle shouldn’t hesitate: “Since I started refereeing in 1973 I’ve meet so many good people involved in football and have made many friends. People often ask me why I wanted to be a referee. I can honestly say refereeing is a good hobby, and if you’re prepared to put the effort in the rewards are great.”
The Essex County FA website has commemorated Terry’s time at the County Office by producing a ‘Best of Thackerchat’ publication, detailing every contribution to his ‘question and answer’ feature since its beginning. If you’d like to download Best of Thackerchat, click on the link below. If you’re keen to explore the possibilities of refereeing in Essex, browse the 'Referees' section above. Other match official news is available on Twitter by following @EssexCountyFA.
