Tony Spreadbury Downgraded by RFU ?

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:54 pm

I'm not sure what Spreadbury has done, but I see that he has been removed from the English HEC panel and seems unlikely to figure in the IRB's future plans. He will still officiate in the GP, but to quote the RFU:

"we hope Spreadbury’s career would eventually take a different course in terms of management in the future."

Rob Debney and Andrew Small are being promoted, Small replaces Roy Maybank in the list of full-time referees.

It looks like the RWC may be Spreaders' swansong. A shame, he is a real character and must be one of the most popular refs around.

britishlions1 · Post by **britishlions1** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:27 am

Am glad, the bloke is a prize t1t

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:13 am

britishlions1 wrote:Am glad, the bloke is a prize t1t

Its all a matter of opinion, but I would guess that you are in the minority.

JerryGas · Post by **JerryGas** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:16 am

I will certainly miss Spreaders although it seems we will still see him for GP games. I can say from personal experience thats he is a top bloke - in his paramedic role came to me mum's aid when she broke her hip - as you can imagine his bedside manner is top drawer. And don't forget the memorable moment of him being knocked cold some years ago at WR in a game against Bristol.

Jeremy Anderson · Post by **Jeremy Anderson** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:32 am

Always reckon Spreaders misses more than most refs, has the best relationship with players and fans and is totally unbiased.
I would rather see Spreaders than many other I can mention refing one of our games.

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:21 am

Spreaders is a highly regarded referee amongst professional players & coaches and probably one of the fairest refs in this country.

He always explains his decisions to the players concerned and constantly has a smile on his face, proving that he loves the game as much as we all do.

I don't hink he's been "demoted" or "overlooked". It's more likely that he is just being rotated off the HC panel in order to give other refs a chance to gain much-needed experience.

WharfedaleTiger · Post by **WharfedaleTiger** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:23 am

One of the best refs in the game, and a real shame if hes leaving the panal or the top level games. Very good ref and a great guy.

Tom Tom · Post by **Tom Tom** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:32 am

BelperJon wrote:
dailywaffle wrote:Its all a matter of opinion, but I would guess that you are in the minority.
I'm inclined to agree.

As much as we chunter on about him and always give him a 'warm' welcome when he comes to Welford Road, we must never forget it was Tony Spreadbury who was on hand to help Matt Hampson. If only just for this one incident, he should always be respected by us. Spreaders is a character and, if he is being sidelined, the game will be less colourful for his departure from the field of play.

Quite agree about Matt Hampson incident. What would have happened to Matt if the Ref had not had the medical background Spreaders has - I had a Ref Link when I first took a season ticket Spreadburys constant chatter did help me understand the decisions he made and the technical reasons he made them etc.

Rizzo · Post by **Rizzo** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:45 am

The players like and respect him too. I recall Ollie Smith saying once "I do like Spreaders, he's so random!"

He's good natured and smiling, as said previously, unlike some of the other top refs who are - to use a Leicester phrase - mardy (sullen and grumpy).

BO'D is GOD · Post by **BO'D is GOD** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:10 am

that really does show what a bunch of idiots the irb and the erc actually are. they outcast decent and fair referees in place of who. people like chris white who wouldn't know a scrum if it came up and bit him on the behind. not to mention the brilliant thing he did for matt.

bring back spredders!

Ben the Tiger · Post by **Ben the Tiger** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:13 am

I didn't like him when he refereed any Tigers games because he seems to have a disliking for us. However the comments that he came out with when not refereeing a Tigers game were great and made the match more entertaining.

Good Luck Spredders

Dave Angel · Post by **Dave Angel** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:38 am

Ben, I can assure you that Spreaders doesn't have a disliking for Tigers.

I'm sure lots of fans like to think that refs have a dislike of their particular club but that is only because you look at all of their decisions through one eye. In my opinion at least, Spreaders is possibly the fairest, least biased ref in the Premiership...and that includes when he refs Tigers games.

Dave W · Post by **Dave W** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:53 am

I think he is a top referee personally and wasn't it Spreaders who also looked after Will Greenwood when he was KO'd during the Lions game a few years back (would you have a british ref reffing a lions game?). Anyway, nice bloke in my opinion...

EssexTiger · Post by **EssexTiger** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:40 pm

If they are thinking of a management role for him - think what the meetings are going to be like!!

'Come on lads - you don't mean it, just get on with the game etc..'