The Basildon Referee

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The Basildon & District Society of Association Football Referees

50th Anniversary 1957-2007

Jack Sayer

It is with deepest regrets that I must inform you that fellow member and great friend of the Basildon RA Jack Sayer passed away peacefully on 17th June 2007.
Most of those that attended our meetings will remember Jack as the quietly spoken lucky person who tended to win most of our raffles.
I’m sure you will all agree without Jack at our meeting it won’t quite be the same, although we do all stand a better chance of winning a raffle or 100 Club draw.

Jack Sayer
“Cousin Jack” never qualified as a referee but in nearly ten years that he attended our meeting, originally as my guest but soon after as an Honorary Member, he became not only knowledgeable on the laws of the game and the finer points of refereeing but quickly proved to be one of our most enthusiastic members. This was acknowledged one year by the award on the Presidents Runners up Trophy.
Jack was born and raised in Shoeburyness and at 18 joined the RAF and served with distinction for 21 years in the RAF Police. His many overseas posting included tours of some of the worlds then flashpoints, such as Cyprus, Aden and Northern Ireland.
On leaving the RAF he joined the Diplomatic Corps as a Security Officer and again toured the world serving in British Embassies in numerous places – Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, Washington, Cuba, South Africa to name but a few.
Although having a keen interest in all sports, football was always Jack’s first love and on retirement he became a season ticket holder at Southend United, loyally supported even after relegation. From an early age he developed into a very good goalkeeper and before joining the Air Force played for Shoebury Town and Great Wakering Rovers. During his RAF service Jack played for several Non League clubs in this country, for RAF representative teams and while stationed in Hong Kong was selected to play for the Hong Kong National XI. Had he decided to choose football as a career he might well have succeeded at a professional level.
Unhappily, Jack had a heart problem and was admitted to Southend Hospital where, despite several weeks of treatment, his condition worsened and he passed peacefully away in his sleep on June 17th.
Many of us will remember Jack as a friend and colleague who won his fair share of raffle prizes. In fact shortly before the end he won the Society F.A. Cup Draw (£100), Although he was obviously happy to be advised of this prize , he thought more of the gifts of UEFA and F.A. Cup Final programmes sent to him by Mike McGregor and Sean Marsh respectively, these were in his bedside cabinet until the end.

Jack was proud of his membership of the Basildon Referees Society and was very grateful of the many friendships developed at the monthly meetings
He will be sadly missed.
Derek Stark