[R] The Arsenal Football Club verus Tottenham Hotspur 2/26/12 @ 8:30 am EST

Of course I have in fact watched that match just a few times before.

And I have to say that I always thought that the ref was celebrating his mere survival in an amazing, marathon match in the hot sun.

But perhaps I should revise that interpretation! Was the ref a goonah?!

Maybe he was celebrating our first and most famous double, kicking spuds off their 11 year old pedestal?

 

Ok, need to put my historian hat on here.
Was that the 1st FA Cup Final that ref did or maybe his last?
Perhaps it was an agonizing match to ref?
What is the ref's name and where did he grow up?
What club did he support?

Sorry for the onslaught of questions, but facts not theories must
be presented before I can pass judgement on a match that took
place over 41 years ago.

 

What do you mean by that?

Do I detect a hint of ageism in your remark?

I think I must report your comment to AARP, to see if you have
breached any rules of impartiality.

 

OK I did a little digging for you and found these tidbits...

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Burtenshaw

"Burtenshaw became a Football League referee in 1962, and achieved international status after only three seasons in 1965.

In 1967 he was knocked unconscious by incensed Millwall fans following their team's 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa at The Den.[1] The FA dropped him from its list of referees' names submitted to FIFA in 1970. However, he had a strong season in 1970-71. Burtenshaw was given control of the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Liverpool. Arsenal won 2-1 after extra time.[2] At the end of the game Burtenshaw sank to the ground in celebration "pumping his fists towards the heavens".[1] When Arsenal beat Benfica 6-2 a few months later, Burtenshaw's performance upset the Benfica players so much, they tried to beat him up at the end of the game.[1]

He regained his international status at the start of the 1971/72 season. Burtenshaw took charge of the 1972 League Cup Final between Stoke City and Chelsea,[3] and a European Cup semi-final second leg tie between Benfica and Ajax, which turned out to be the most senior European club appointment of his career.[4]

He retired at the end of the 1972-73 season, one which coincidentally saw the début of another Football League, FA Cup and FIFA referee from the same home town of Great Yarmouth - Alf Grey.

He later became president of the Referees' Association.[5]"

And also from http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/jul/26/theknowledge.sport

"Burtenshaw claimed afterwards that he was simply celebrating the fact that the game hadn't gone to a replay."

Hmm... there may be implications, but nowhere does it say he was a Goonah.

 

Um:

"When Arsenal beat Benfica 6-2 a few months later, Burtenshaw's performance upset the Benfica players so much, they tried to beat him up at the end of the game."

 

Um:

"When Arsenal beat Benfica 6-2 a few months later, Burtenshaw's performance upset the Benfica players so much, they tried to beat him up at the end of the game."

 

Sorry Anti, that's a little too vague & unsubstantiated for me.

 

Both - as it always has to be.

They only get one FA Cup Final.

 

J.P....Have you noticed that you're double posting?

 

J.P. ...have you noticed that you're double posting?

 

In a FRIENDLY?

 

Rog... Have you noticed you are also double posting

 

This is the only one I remember that shows a ref seemingly celebrating. Only in this one, you would think the ref actually scored the goal himself.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Uds5_oywM"]Ref celebrates Chris Iwelumo goal against Watford! - YouTube[/ame]

 

Kinda did that on purpose...seemed funny to me, at the time.

 

It's not me, it's BS.

 

Just had a thought - Harry's face looks like a rubber mask. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17173278

 

You know I actually thought that might be the case, but then thought no he can't be that ironic but im glad I was wrong