New Zealand Football is sad to hear the news that New Zealand Football Life Member Tom Delahunty has passed away at the age of 83.

Tom was born in Manchester in 1935, where he began refereeing about 30 years later and forged an impressive refereeing career in New Zealand both locally in the National League and on the international stage.

Tom came to New Zealand in 1956 and joined the Wellington Soccer Referees in 1957 and became a FIFA referee in 1968. He was made a New Zealand Football Life Member in 1987.

Ken Wallace, the Referee Development Manager at New Zealand Football, said it was a sad day for the referees and football community.

“Tom was one of the original National League panel in 1970. He enjoyed immense respect from both players and referees alike.  His views were fair but firm and often expressed industrially– many characterised him as a trusted ‘straight shooter’,” said Wallace.

“Similarly in committee meetings and off-the-field, you always knew where you stood with Tom.  Strong, firm and often lengthy debate took place when he was present.  He made a significant contribution, was keen to help others and well after his retirement was keen to stay in touch and keep up-to-date with current trends and coaching.

“He will be missed by the football community and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.”

Tom started football as a goalkeeper. He joked that this was because of his lack of outfield skills, but it was an injury – dislocated fingers when he was 14 – which caused him to take up refereeing at the age of 18, when he took charge of two games in his native Manchester.

In the days before the National League started, Tom had established himself as a tough but fair referee in the Wellington area, and was very involved in administration, being secretary, treasurer, appointments officer, coach and president.

He was also a member of the National Referees’ Association for 37 years in the same position, becoming a life member of the Wellington Referees’ and the New Zealand Referees’ Associations.

International honours came in 1968 when Tom was appointed as a FIFA referee, the ultimate honour for a New Zealand referee. He remained an active FIFA referee for 16 years, until retirement from active refereeing at the age of 49.

The start of the National League in 1970 gave Tom a national stage and he was a success all over the country, and in the 19 full international matches he controlled.

Since his refereeing retirement in 1984, Tom has continued with administration and was recently a national councillor and took part in advanced refereeing coaching. Tom was also a member of the NZFA Council for a short time.

A man of real determination and character, Tom earned the respect of players, fans and fellow referees.

In addition to his distinguished refereeing career he served in many capacities on the Wellington committee between 1964 and 1987 – treasurer, secretary, exam board, president, delegate to the WSA.

He also was involved nationally through the Soccer NZ Referees Association and NZF Referees Committee (2000 – 2002) at the start of the Federation system.

Tom remained involved and active until his last few months as a member of the Horowhenua –Kapiti branch and regularly went out coaching referees.

A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held at the Funeral Home Chapel, 9-11 Hinemoa Street, Paraparaumu, on Friday 19 October 2018 at 1.00pm, to be followed by private cremation.

Article added: Tuesday 16 October 2018