WARM tributes have been paid to York refereeing stalwart Chris Dale who has died aged 63.

Dale, of Bishopthorpe, was chairman of the North Riding County FA Referees Committee and was hailed for the “excellent work” he had undertaken for referees and refereeing over many years’ involvement in football.

He joined the County FA in 1996 and, as chairman of the referees committee, was responsible for refereeing appointments in a number of leagues in the York area.

Dale served as a referee’s assessor co-ordinator and he was also a member of the inter-county competition committee which dealt with the association’s representative sides such as the under-16s, U18s and the ladies’ team.

His death, on Wednesday, was especially poignant as he was due to be recognised and rewarded for his decade and a half’s service at the association’s annual dinner last night.

Dale also served with the York & District FA.

Tom Radigan, chief executive of the North Riding County FA, said: “Chris made a very big contribution to the revolution in the way we recruit and retain referees, along with developing them.

“He was passionate about refereeing, being an ex-referee himself, and, since he took over as chairman of the referees committee, he made great strides in its dealings.

“I have known him since 1996 and he will be sorely missed.”

Radigan’s comments were echoed by former Football League linesman Graham Bradbury, who played with Dale and refereed with him over many years.

Bradbury added: “This is sad news. Chris has been a lifelong friend.

“I played football against him in the late 1960s and 70s. I started refereeing in 1976 and he followed two years later.

“We’ve done many games together and the administration and the work he has done for the York FA will be sorely missed.

“He put Yorkshire refereeing on the map and we were well respected for the assessing system that he helped to set up.”