Max Lea MBE receives 50 year Long Service Award from Referees Society
"Gordon Kirby, JP, Chairman said we had a special event which featured two experienced
referees who
with a little light training could do a middle or run a line on Saturday. The Society was
honoured to welcome Peter Molyneaux, RA Life Member and holder of the RA Long and
Meritorious Service Award and referee stalwart for many, many years. In fact on the
occasion of the Society’s 40th anniversary in December 2006 he presented Bill Evans with his
RA Long and Meritorious Service Award. Gordon said it was an honour for the Society to
welcome him to the meeting. Peter was with us for the “main event” to present Max Lea,
MBE, LMSA with an important award. But before he proceeded, Gordon read a
congratulatory message received from Ray Mallery, LMSA, RA Life Member, recipient of the
FA 50 year award and former RA Board Member. Peter Molyneaux, LMSA and RA Life-
Member and 60-year member of Hertfordshire FA then read a eulogy to Max taking the
audience through his involvement in football as a player [Old Parmiterians FC football and
cricket from 1950], he passed his refereeing examination in 1962, became a member of
various AFA and RA bodies and then an AFA Council member in 1976 and elected as Life
Vice-President in 1990, he was awarded the RA LMSA at the Conference in 1992, became a
Society Life Member also in 1992 and recipient of the FA 50 year award received also in
1996. He was awarded the MBE for services to football and youth work in 2000. Peter then
presented Max with the coveted award. On behalf of the Society the Chairman presented
both Peter and Max with individual Society mugs."