SKII
Private Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2004
News today of the passing of George Smith, former FIFA referee and - although folk might wonder at it - Hibs man.
He is the only Scot from outside the West coast to referee at the World Cup. He was a man of integrity and it probably saw him overly concerned with not showing bias to his football team. It sometimes felt like it.
Smith has been seriously ill for over a year and lost that battle yesterday.
Most prominent was his sending off of Joe T in Gordon Rae's testimonial. Rightly so but nonetheless controversy reigned.
Knowing him, he was a gentleman and quietly religious man - as a Catholic referee who were few and far between at that time.
Rest in peace, Smithy.
He is the only Scot from outside the West coast to referee at the World Cup. He was a man of integrity and it probably saw him overly concerned with not showing bias to his football team. It sometimes felt like it.
Smith has been seriously ill for over a year and lost that battle yesterday.
Most prominent was his sending off of Joe T in Gordon Rae's testimonial. Rightly so but nonetheless controversy reigned.
Knowing him, he was a gentleman and quietly religious man - as a Catholic referee who were few and far between at that time.
Rest in peace, Smithy.
