Legendary referee Lee Coffman has passed away aged 95. 

A life member of New Zealand Football, Coffman was a respected figure as a referee, a coach and an assessor in a near 60-year career. 

Football historian Jeremy Ruane profiled Coffman’s career for the Auckland Soccer Referees’ Association, and his article in reproduced with permission below:

Les Coffman QSM: A Legend of New Zealand Football Refereeing
By Jeremy Ruane
Reproduced from the Auckland Soccer Referees' Association's Centennial Publication (1998)
 

Refereeing: the most thankless job in sport. No matter the decision you make, someone will always disagree — and they won’t hesitate to let you know. In the world of football, referees are often the subject of harsh criticism, yet they are the ones entrusted with making split-second calls that can change the course of a match. To succeed in this demanding role, a thick skin is essential.

Few understand this better than Les Coffman, a name synonymous with New Zealand football refereeing. With an incredible 41 years of experience in the game, Les' career has spanned generations of players, coaches, and fans.

In 1997, the Auckland Soccer Referees' Association (ASRA) honoured Les on the 40th anniversary of his refereeing career. The celebration, held on June 16th, was a surprise gathering attended by close friends, family, and figures from the football community, including his wife Kath, son Grant, and several fellow referees, such as Ron Cochran, Ron Harries, and John Cameron. Also present were the respective chairmen of Soccer New Zealand and Soccer Auckland, Jock Irvine and Bill Anderson, as well as former players Ray Mears and Bert Ormond.


The Beginnings of a Legendary Career

Les Coffman’s refereeing journey began in June 1957 at Auckland Domain, though his passion for the sport had already taken root years earlier. Before emigrating to New Zealand, Les had spent six years refereeing in England, giving him a wealth of experience in the game. His career in New Zealand continued for more than two decades, with Les officiating at some of the country’s biggest football matches.

By 1979, after having refereed his final National League match at Allen Hill Stadium, Les transitioned to a range of roles within the refereeing community. He became a respected administrator, assessor, and coach, contributing significantly to the development of football refereeing in New Zealand. His expertise was also sought after at numerous FIFA internationals, including the World Cup qualifying series held in New Zealand.


Notable Matches and Anecdotes

Throughout his career, Les officiated some of New Zealand's most memorable games, including matches between Auckland and Manchester United in 1968 and New Zealand against the English FA XI in 1969. That same year, Les was awarded his FIFA badge, a significant milestone that cemented his standing in the international refereeing community.

Les’s reputation for being a no-nonsense official earned him the nickname "Centre Circle Coffman," a playful reference to the area of the pitch from which he would oversee the action. Yet, as the years went by, even Les himself couldn’t always stick to his self-imposed rules. In 1979, during a match at Newmarket Park, he broke his own "code of conduct" by running to all four corners of the pitch — a rare move for the usually steady and methodical referee. Coincidentally, the following Monday, ground subsidence rendered the venue unusable for football, leading to the field’s permanent closure.

Over the years, Les accumulated numerous entertaining stories from his time on the field. One of the most memorable occurred during a match at Anderson Park, when he disallowed five goals scored by Blockhouse Bay, much to the confusion and frustration of the players. On another occasion, during a National League match at North Shore, Les was even awarded the "Man of the Match" accolade — a rare honor for a referee, especially one selected by players such as Bert Ormond and the late Ken Armstrong.

One particularly amusing incident occurred during the 1972 Guinness Cup final. Late in the match, Eastern Suburbs were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. As the players rushed upfield, goalkeeper Praven Jeram remained in position, expecting a pass-back from his teammates. However, Mt. Wellington striker Earle Thomas took matters into his own hands and flicked the ball back to Jeram. The goalkeeper, caught by surprise, punted the ball up the field — with the referee completely unaware of the mix-up.


A Lifelong Commitment to Refereeing

Looking back on his extraordinary career, Les considers his 40 years of refereeing to have been "a short time." As of 1997, he remained deeply involved in the football world, although he admits to dreading the day when he will have to retire from the game he loves. His passion for refereeing, combined with his extensive experience, has made him a beloved figure in the football community.

Les’ journey into refereeing began in an unexpected way. In 1951, while serving in the Royal Air Force, a Physical Instruction Sergeant reprimanded him for abusing a referee. As punishment, Les had his ID card taken from him, only to have it returned upon his attendance at a referees' meeting the following week. It was there that Les received a copy of the rulebook, setting him on the path that would lead to his illustrious career in football officiating.

In recognition of his services to the sport, Les was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in 1993 — a fitting tribute to his dedication and passion for refereeing. While Les’ own accomplishments are impressive, his family background in sport is equally remarkable. His wife Kath was an accomplished table-tennis player, representing her county in Birmingham and holding Rhodesian national titles. She also played for Auckland in the Tegel Shield.


A Legacy of Service

Les Coffman’s legacy in New Zealand football is one of dedication, passion, and service. As one of the longest-serving and most respected figures in the New Zealand refereeing community, his impact on the game is immeasurable. Whether on the field, behind the scenes in training and assessment, or working with FIFA international events, Les' contributions to football in New Zealand have been invaluable.

Les Coffman’s story is not just a tale of refereeing; it is a story of commitment, resilience, and a love for the beautiful game that has inspired generations of referees, players, and fans alike.


Article added: Tuesday 26 November 2024