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Britain's oldest football referee William Hardy dies Britain's oldest football referee William Hardy dies
(about 5 hours later)
Britain's oldest football referee, who officiated matches until he was 88, has died.Britain's oldest football referee, who officiated matches until he was 88, has died.
William "Harry" Hardy started overseeing matches in 1959 but only retired in the 2015/16 season after a fall. He refereed more than 3,000 football matches. William "Harry" Hardy started overseeing matches in 1959 but only retired in the 2015-16 season after a fall. He refereed more than 3,000 football matches.
The Erewash Valley Referee Society said he died on Wednesday - two days before his 92nd birthday.The Erewash Valley Referee Society said he died on Wednesday - two days before his 92nd birthday.
Mr Hardy's son, Chris, said he was "very proud of him".Mr Hardy's son, Chris, said he was "very proud of him".
Prince William, president of the Football Association, gave Mr Hardy a medal for services to football in 2013.Prince William, president of the Football Association, gave Mr Hardy a medal for services to football in 2013.
Mr Hardy, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, received a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours the following year.Mr Hardy, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, received a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours the following year.
'He just loved football''He just loved football'
His son said the father-of-two suffered a heart attack on Saturday and had deteriorated in the days that followed.His son said the father-of-two suffered a heart attack on Saturday and had deteriorated in the days that followed.
He added: "I'm very proud of him and so are all his six grandchildren.He added: "I'm very proud of him and so are all his six grandchildren.
"I used to get took [to matches] with him. [Before one game] there was two inches of snow and he'd say 'we're playing!'"I used to get took [to matches] with him. [Before one game] there was two inches of snow and he'd say 'we're playing!'
"He encouraged loads of people [to take up refereeing] and brought a lot through who have gone on to referee across the world.""He encouraged loads of people [to take up refereeing] and brought a lot through who have gone on to referee across the world."
Pete Carter, chairman of the Erewash Valley Referee Society, said: "In a nutshell he was a true gentleman and he couldn't do enough for anyone, especially young referees.Pete Carter, chairman of the Erewash Valley Referee Society, said: "In a nutshell he was a true gentleman and he couldn't do enough for anyone, especially young referees.
"He just loved football. The majority of his time was taken up with football and refereeing."He just loved football. The majority of his time was taken up with football and refereeing.
"A lot of people don't know this about him but Harry was a very good footballer in his day. Unfortunately he packed it in after he broke his leg."A lot of people don't know this about him but Harry was a very good footballer in his day. Unfortunately he packed it in after he broke his leg.
"When I first took over the role 20 years ago Harry helped me an enormous amount.""When I first took over the role 20 years ago Harry helped me an enormous amount."
Mr Hardy, who also had six great-grandchildren, joined Erewash Valley Referee Society in 1959 and from 1963 served in office as secretary for more than 55 years.Mr Hardy, who also had six great-grandchildren, joined Erewash Valley Referee Society in 1959 and from 1963 served in office as secretary for more than 55 years.
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