William Burns (Born December 1952 – 23 August 2019), usually known as "Bill Burns", was an English football referee who officiated in the Football League.
| Born |
16 December 1952 Scarborough, England | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 1985–1988 | Football League | Asst. referee | |
| 1988–2001 | Football League | Referee | |
Born in Scarborough, Burns refereed the 1996 Football League Third Division play-off final,[1][2] and the 2001 Football League Trophy Final.[3][4] Having officiated since 1985, he retired as a Football League referee at the end of the 2000–01 season, at the age of 48.[5] In 2002, he bought a pub in Scarborough with his wife, Jenny.[4] In later life, he underwent a successful double liver transplant at St James's University Hospital in Leeds.[6]
He died on 23 August 2019 aged 66 after a long battle with primary sclerosing cholangitis.[7]
References edit
- ^ Metcalf, Rupert (26 May 1996). "Pilgrims progress". The Independent. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
- ^ Thomas, Dave (26 May 1996). "Argyle lifted by Mauge's header". The Times. Retrieved 29 May 2011.
- ^ "Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy". BBC Sport. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ a b Nixon, Chris (3 July 2002). "Referee takes over pub". Scarborough Evening News. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
- ^ Davies, Christopher (20 October 2000). "Referees given extra time". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
- ^ "Bill Burns out of intensive care". Refworld. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
- ^ "Tributes pour in for former Football League referee Billy Burns".