Welwyn Garden City referee loses his battle against cancer
A REFEREE, who was much loved in WGC and a valued member of the Hertfordshire Football Association, has died after losing his battle against cancer. He was 60-years-old.
John Jackson, a father-of-three, was involved in officiating football matches in the county since 1992.
Born in Barnet, Mr Jackson first moved to WGC in 1955, at the age of seven.
He studied at Creswick Primary School and the Howard School, before going on to work with his father at British Aerospace.
Eventually he ended up at Ratcliff Palfinger and was there for 32 years.
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He and wife Sheila had daughters Estelle and Sonia, as well as son James, and it was while taking James to play football at Panshanger the Arsenal fan became more involved with the sport.
The grandfather-of-five became a member of The Mid Herts Referees Association and was very popular.
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A Herts FA spokesman said: “John was actively involved around the county as a referee and in referee training, especially in the mid Herts area attending basic courses, workshops and in-service development programmes for referees as an instructor.
“He forged a strong working relationship with the referee training team where he became more and more involved.
“His approach was straightforward but in a manner that others could understand, especially with his hands on approach in demonstrating the required techniques to learn from.”
The spokesman added: “His untimely death came just five weeks after he finished instructing on a course at the County Ground.
“He will be sorely missed.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are all with John’s family to whom we send our sincere condolences.”
Sheila said: “He will be sorely missed by everyone.
“He was very popular and the funeral was attended by hundreds of people,” she added. “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kind donations to Cancer Research UK.”
