PGMOL is sad to share the passing of former referee Gary Willard, after a period of illness with leukaemia.
Gary was a mentor and inspiration in his role as a Select Group 2 coach, working tirelessly with the Championship match officials to continually aid their development.
He was in the perfect position to do this with his expertise of having refereed in the professional game for a sustained period of time.
His career on the field saw him take charge of hundreds of games including in the Premier League from 1994-1999, while he was also on the FIFA List of officials from 1996-1999, setting high standards of professionalism and dedication for those who followed in his footsteps.
Gary’s impact extended way beyond his professional achievements, with his warmth and friendly character leaving a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of meeting him.
Not just a great coach but also a cherished member of the PGMOL team, last year – in a show of support for Gary and to raise money for Leukaemia Care UK – a strong cohort of Select Group 2 officials took on the ‘3 Peaks Challenge’, underpinning the respect held for Gary.
Thoughts are with Gary’s loved ones during this difficult time.
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Premier League referee Bobby Madley shares touching memory of Matija Sarkic’s brilliant gag on national team duty with Serbia… as he pays tribute to Millwall star after his death aged 26
The 26-year-old Millwall goalkeeper passed away after falling ill at an apartment
Matija Sarkic was announced dead on Saturday morning in the town of Budva
Premier League referee Bobby Madley has opened up on a funny moment he shared with Matija Sarkic following the 26-year-old’s tragic death on Saturday.
Sarkic was in the coastal Montenegro town of Budva when he reportedly fell ill while with friends at an apartment on Saturday morning. An ambulance was immediately called to the scene, but attempts to save his life failed as he died around 6.30am local time.
The player reportedly enjoyed a meal with friends at a restaurant in the area on Friday evening before returning to the accommodation he was staying.
The goalkeeper’s sudden passing has shocked the footballing world with tributes pouring in for the Millwall star who has previously played for a host of English clubs.
Among them was the official Madley, who shared a touching story about an interaction he had with the Montenegrin international as he prepared to take charge of an Under 19s game in 2016.
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