The funeral of Ken Pattinson, the former international referee and Dudley Kingswinford lock, will take place at Telford Crematorium on February 27 at 3pm.

Pattinson, who passed away recently after a period of ill-health, was originally from the Lake District and attended Liverpool University where he played as a lock or number eight. At university he met his wife, Val, who originated from Dudley. The couple moved to the Black Country where Pattinson started his teaching career. He later became headmaster of the Abraham Darby School in Telford.

Pattinson joined Dudley Kingswinford in 1960 and played four seasons in the first team before he retired to become a referee with the North Midlands Society.

He rose rapidly through the refereeing ranks and too charge of his first international in 1973 when he officiated in the France v Scotland Five Nations match at the Parc des Princes. His debut was marred by a calf muscle injury which forced Pattinson to limp off.

Among numerous anecdotes from leading players of the day is one from a game between Ireland and Wales. The Welsh were on the wrong end of some rough treatment from their opponent and, after his side were penalised for the umpteenth time, the Welsh captain pointed, to three of his players lying injured on the ground. Pattinson duly called over both captains to tell them to calm their teams down, much to the annoyance of the Welsh players.
Pattinson refereed three more Five Nations matches then acted as a citing commissioner for the IRB and European Rugby.

Pattinson remained was a strong supporter of the North Midlands Referees Society, regularly attending monthly meetings and occasionally entering to robust discussions with fellow international referee Laurie Prideaux.

He was one of the first trustees of Telford Hornets when they they relocated to Telford Town Park from Wellington. He also served as Youth Development Officer Manager for North Midlands RFU.

In recent years Pattinson served as RFU Match Official co-ordinator for Stourbridge and was often to be seen on the touchlines supporting local clubs.

Never one to suffer fools gladly, Pattinson was always fair. In retirement he was quick to praise but also to remind the RFU of their responsibilities to the game beyond professionalism.

(Taken from North Mids web site: http://www.northmidsrfu.co.uk/ken-pattinson-funeral-arrangements/)

Photo courtesy of the Shropshire Star