It is with great sorrow that we announce the death recently of John Turner. John
joined the Liverpool and District Rugby Union Referees Society in 1961. He was an
enthusiastic referee with a style all of his own. Elected to the Committee in 1977 he
went on to share the position of Appointment Secretary in 1980 with Dennis
Pemberton and Dai Adams who had also joined the Society in 1961. 1981 saw him
joining the team of Assessors and in 1987 assisted Dai Adams as Appointment
Secretary together with Bob Smith, moving on to become Appointments Secretary in
1994. He became President of the Society 1994-96 and a Life Member in 2008. He
remained a Trustee. John was always at the Presidents’ lunches, sharing legendary
tales, both on and off the pitch, in his own inimitable style. He invariably took a table
at the Society's Dinners bringing his family and friends to join in the fun. He will be
greatly missed by those who knew him, not only as President and as a Committee
man but especially all those referees he helped over the years with constructive and
often humorous assessments.
Mollie Turner, John’s wife and an enforced helper to him and the Society, thanks all
the referees for the many cards and messages she has received. She will not be
responding to them individually but wanted us to know they mean a lot to her.