Ray Tinkler
Encyclopedia
Raymond Tinkler who comes from Boston
, Lincolnshire
, is an English
former football
referee, most notable for making a controversial decision in the 1970-71
season.
and West Bromwich Albion
at Elland Road
on April 17, 1971, with the score already at 1-0 to West Brom, Tinkler allowed play to continue when a linesman flagged for offside. Albion player Tony Brown had intercepted a ball and carried on running. However, Colin Suggett
was in an offside position and the Leeds players stopped when they saw the flag was raised. As Tinkler did not stop play, Brown, who had momentarily slowed as well, was free to resume his run towards goal and pass to Jeff Astle
, who scored to make it 2-0.
At the time of the decision in 1971, Law XI, the offside law, had not been changed since the 1937-38 season, and read, in part, "[a] player in an off-side position shall not be penalised unless, in the opinion of the referee, he is interfering with the play or with an opponent, or is seeking to gain an advantage by being in an off-side position ." Interpretations of these rules varied, with one view summed up by the quote, attributed to either Bill Shankly
or Brian Clough
, that "[i]f a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be."
In 1956, the International Football Association Board
had attempted to clarify the rules, stating "[a] player does not necessarily infringe this Law if he is in an off-side position and moves a little way beyond the boundary of the field of play to show clearly to the referee that he is not interfering with play, but if the referee considers that such a movement has a tactical aim, or is, in any way, a feint and the player takes part in the game immediately after, then the referee should blow his whistle for 'off-side.'"
Under those rules, Sugget's change of direction towards the Leeds goal could have been interpreted as "interfering with play", but in Tinkler's opinion, he wasn't. More simply however, it should be noted that a player is not and was not then considered offside until the ball is actually passed forward anyway, and the rules regarding interfering with play are irrelevant.
The decision caused outrage at the time; he was surrounded by Leeds players, several Leeds fans invaded the pitch and were escorted off by police, and even Leeds manager Don Revie
approached the linesman to plead with him to discuss it with Tinkler. Leeds pulled a goal back but lost the game 1-2. Despite winning their final three matches of the season they missed out on the title to Arsenal
by one point with Tinkler's decision perceived to be critical.
Referees’ Committee and The Referees' Association.
In 2005, Tinkler became chairman of Lincolnshire FA. He retired from this role in the summer of 2010.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
referee, most notable for making a controversial decision in the 1970-71
1970-71 in English football
The 1970–71 season was the 91st season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Arsenal won the league championship at the end of a season which would soon be followed by their FA Cup final tie with Liverpool. Arsenal secured the league title at White Hart Lane, the home of bitter rivals...
season.
Leeds controversy
During a game between Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
and West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
on April 17, 1971, with the score already at 1-0 to West Brom, Tinkler allowed play to continue when a linesman flagged for offside. Albion player Tony Brown had intercepted a ball and carried on running. However, Colin Suggett
Colin Suggett
Colin Suggett is a former professional football player and manager.During the late 1960s he began his career playing for Sunderland, with whom he twice won the FA Youth Cup. He moved to West Brom in July 1969 for a club record fee of £100,000. He then joined Norwich for a £70,000 fee in February...
was in an offside position and the Leeds players stopped when they saw the flag was raised. As Tinkler did not stop play, Brown, who had momentarily slowed as well, was free to resume his run towards goal and pass to Jeff Astle
Jeff Astle
Jeffrey "The King" Astle was an English footballer. He played 361 games for West Bromwich Albion, scoring 174 goals, and was one of the most iconic players in the history of the club...
, who scored to make it 2-0.
At the time of the decision in 1971, Law XI, the offside law, had not been changed since the 1937-38 season, and read, in part, "[a] player in an off-side position shall not be penalised unless, in the opinion of the referee, he is interfering with the play or with an opponent, or is seeking to gain an advantage by being in an off-side position ." Interpretations of these rules varied, with one view summed up by the quote, attributed to either Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
or Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
, that "[i]f a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an advantage, then he should be."
In 1956, the International Football Association Board
International Football Association Board
The International Football Association Board is the body that determines the Laws of the Game of association football.-Operations:...
had attempted to clarify the rules, stating "[a] player does not necessarily infringe this Law if he is in an off-side position and moves a little way beyond the boundary of the field of play to show clearly to the referee that he is not interfering with play, but if the referee considers that such a movement has a tactical aim, or is, in any way, a feint and the player takes part in the game immediately after, then the referee should blow his whistle for 'off-side.'"
Under those rules, Sugget's change of direction towards the Leeds goal could have been interpreted as "interfering with play", but in Tinkler's opinion, he wasn't. More simply however, it should be noted that a player is not and was not then considered offside until the ball is actually passed forward anyway, and the rules regarding interfering with play are irrelevant.
The decision caused outrage at the time; he was surrounded by Leeds players, several Leeds fans invaded the pitch and were escorted off by police, and even Leeds manager Don Revie
Don Revie
Donald George 'Don' Revie, OBE, , was an English footballer who played for Leicester City, Hull City, Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds United as a deep-lying centre forward. After managing Leeds United he managed England from 1974 until 1977...
approached the linesman to plead with him to discuss it with Tinkler. Leeds pulled a goal back but lost the game 1-2. Despite winning their final three matches of the season they missed out on the title to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
by one point with Tinkler's decision perceived to be critical.
Later career
Tinkler's 15 year refereeing career ended with his retirement in 1976 and he later became Chairman of the Football AssociationThe Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
Referees’ Committee and The Referees' Association.
In 2005, Tinkler became chairman of Lincolnshire FA. He retired from this role in the summer of 2010.