List of soccer players who became referees: Including 2 Ex-Man United defenders

Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp once famously vented his frustration regarding Premier League officiating, suggesting that referees often seem like individuals who have "never kicked a ball in a full professional match." This biting remark aimed to highlight a perceived lack of "feel" for the game, a mechanical, VAR-dependent rigidity that clashes with the fluid, emotional reality of high-stakes football. 

While Goaloomobi acknowledges the valid concerns regarding modern refereeing standards, Klopp might be surprised to discover our list of 7 individuals who effectively bridged this divide. These soccer players who became referees did not just take up a whistle; they carried the scars of battle and the tactical intuition of the pitch into their new profession. 

For these men, officiating was likely born from a deep-rooted desire to ensure fairness, utilizing their "street smarts" to detect the subtle deceits and professional fouls that career officials might miss.

List of professional soccer players who became referees

7. John Lloyd

Lloyd’s professional playing stint was notably brief, consisting of only 2 appearances as an outside-right for Wrexham between 1965 and 1967. However, this taste of the professional atmosphere was enough to keep him tethered to the sport. Lloyd transitioned into officiating and worked his way through the grueling lower leagues of English football. 

By 1985, he reached the prestigious status of a Football League referee. Over a career spanning more than a decade, Lloyd became a respected figure in both domestic and international fixtures.

6. Herbert Dale

A true pioneer from the Victorian era, Dale represented Newton Heath, the club that would eventually become the global powerhouse Manchester United, between 1886 and 1891. As a rugged defender, Dale was accustomed to the physical demands of early English football. 

Upon hanging up his boots in the early 1890s, he immediately moved into refereeing. He spent the better part of the 1890s as an official in the Football League. Dale’s legacy is significant because he established a precedent in the 19th century, showing that the transition from player to arbiter was a noble way to evolve within the sport.

5. Sam Black

Similar to Dale, Black was a cornerstone of the early Man United (Newton Heath) identity. Serving as a fullback, Black’s leadership qualities were evident as he captained the side from 1883 to 1887. 

His transition to refereeing shortly after his captaincy ended was a natural progression. Having led men into battle on the pitch, Black found it seamless to command authority as a referee. His era lacked the cameras and technology of today, meaning his "player’s instinct" was the primary tool for maintaining order in a much more violent version of the beautiful game.

4. Ben Haverkort

Born in 1960, Haverkort was a talented youngster who developed in the prestigious Ajax Amsterdam youth academy. While he didn't reach the heights of the Ajax first team, he enjoyed a respectable career in the Eerste Divisie playing for Telstar, SC Cambuur, and Emmen. 

Haverkort retired in 1995 and turned to refereeing that same year. His rise was meteoric, by 1999 he was in the national league, and by 2002 he was a FIFA-listed official. He spent years handling high-pressure UEFA Euro 2004 and 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Before his retirement in 2011, he was widely praised for his calm demeanor, a trait he likely developed during his years navigating the tactical battles of Dutch football.

3. Sam Allison

A midfielder by trade, Allison’s journey took him through the ranks of clubs like Swindon Town, Bristol City, Bournemouth, and Exeter City. Notably, he also balanced his footballing career with his role as a firefighter, a profession that demands extreme composure and split-second decision-making. This unique background served him well when he decided to pick up the whistle. 

On December 26, 2023, Allison etched his name into the history books by becoming the first Black referee in the Premier League in 15 years. His ability to manage games with a firm but fair hand has earned him praise from pundits who value his diverse life experience and his history as a competitive player.

2. Steve Baines

Baines stands as a titan on this list, holding a record that may never be broken. Born in 1954, the defender enjoyed a massive 15-year career from 1972 to 1987, amassing over 300 league appearances for clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town, and Bradford City. Following his retirement, he entered the officiating world in 1994. 

Baines is the only person to have played over 300 professional games and subsequently become a Football League referee. This vast experience meant he was rarely intimidated by players, as he had literally "been there and done that." He famously officiated games involving his former clubs, maintaining such high levels of integrity that his neutrality was never questioned by the FA or the public.

1. Dick Jol

The Dutchman played professionally for NEC Nijmegen before moving to Belgium to represent Berchem Sport and KV Kortrijk. However, his second act as a referee made him a global household name. The pinnacle of his career arrived in 2001 when he was appointed to lead the UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Valencia. 

In a display of incredible courage and decisiveness, Jol awarded 3 penalties during the 90 minutes of that high-tension final. He was praised for his ability to stay controlled amidst the chaos of a major European final. 

Summary of the elite 7 players who transform to referees:  

Dick Jol

Steve Baines 

Sam Allison 

Ben Haverkort 

Bob Matthewson 

Herbert Dale 

John Lloyd

Despite the historical friction between athletes and officials, the stories of these soccer players who became referees highlighted by Goaloomobi.net show a different side of the game. These individuals chose to become the "villains" in the eyes of their successors, not for fame, but to protect the integrity of the sport they loved. By trading their boots for whistles, they brought a level of prestige and authentic understanding back to the role of the "Man in Black."

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