Football

TED MALLOWS has called it a day after nearly 50 years of refereeing.

He completed his career with the whistle when he officiated in the South West Under 18s final between Somerset and Hampshire earlier this month.

Ted, now in his 80th year, has officiated in nearly 1500 games at more than 140 destinations from West Dorset to India.

"Football is the best sport in the world, nothing beats it," he said.

"I've had a wonderful time as a player, referee and linesman. I've been really lucky.

"It is amazing, you don't realise what you have actually done and experienced until you look back at it."

Ted, a former postman, was born in North Kensington but moved to Bridport with his mother when he was young.

After giving up playing in the 1950s he began refereeing.

As one of Dorset's finest he was selected to take up a role as a steward at Wembley.

The FA used to recruit referees from each county because they could rely on them officiating at the home of English football.

Ted did this for 13 years during which time he met many of his heroes including Denis Law and World Cup winning skipper Bobby Moore.

He remembers one conversation with Law in particular.

"We were talking to Denis Law when England were playing Argentina," he said.

"Law said 'You have a look at this player the Argentines are going to bring on after half time - he's lethal.'

"He was talking about Maradona and to this day he is the best player I've seen."

However, Ted's passion for football was just as strong at the game's grassroots.

He helped run a very successful Bridport youth team that included local legends Derek Walkey and Steve Crabbe.

They reached national finals at both 5-a-side and 11-a-side forms of the game.

He has also taken a Burton Bradstock youth team to Belgium.

The man who spent 27 years refereeing in the Perry Street League and has played and officiated in every round of the Edwards Charity Cup will not struggle to make use of his extra spare time.

He said: "I play badminton with a group of friends.

I'll carry on doing that and continue to help out at Bridport Football Club."