The Rugby Football League today pays tribute to Robin Whitfield, the distinguished former referee whose long list of major appointments included a State of Origin fixture in Australia.
Whitfield, a Widnesian who signed for his hometown club as a 16-year-old and went on to play for Barrow and Huyton, died at the weekend at the age of 81 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Phil Bentham, the RFL’s Head of Match Officials, said:
“Robin Whitfield is rightly remembered as one of the leading Rugby League officials over many seasons through the 1980s and ‘90s.
“He refereed three Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley - Featherstone’s famous win against Hull FC in 1983, Castleford’s victory over Hull KR in 1986, and Wigan’s against Castleford in 1992.
“He also took charge of numerous other finals and major fixtures, and will also be remembered in Australia.
“He was one of only two British officials, with Billy Thompson, to have taken charge of a State of Origin fixture in Australia, having been flown to Brisbane for the third and decisive fixture of the 1983 series which was won by Queensland.
“And two years later he refereed a number of Winfield Cup matches during what was the British off-season before our switch in season.
“In total he refereed over 400 professional fixtures, winning the Referee of the Year award on three occasions, before retiring in 1994.
“On behalf of the RFL, and current and former match officials, we send our condolences to Robin’s wife Lisa, his children, his brother Colin, and his many friends in the sport.”
