Geoff Wilkinson steps down as NWCFL Vice Chair
Mon 31st August 2026 | Announcements | By Media Team
A change at the top of the League was announced at the AGM last weekend as Vice Chairman and Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson has decided to take a step back from his current roles.
Geoff advised League Chairman Chris Stirrup and Secretary John Deal early in January that he would be reducing his time spent on League duties.
He has been involved with the League since 1982 (the very first season!) when he was promoted to Referee on the League. This resulted in a 10 year spell on the League, in addition to 8 years as a linesman on The Football League and 5 years refereeing on the Panel (Conference and Central Leagues).
Following retirement as an active match official (but not forever, more on that later), he also served as Secretary of the North West Counties Football League Referees & Linesman Association, which played its part in giving advice to officials on helping them understand what was required to officiate on the League, this included advice offered by Appointments Officers, League Officials and Managers.
There was a memorable moment back in 2011, as Geoff, then aged 64, took to the field of play as a stand-in linesman during a fixture between Nelson and Daisy Hill. The referee pulled up with an injury inside the opening stages of the match, and once it became clear that he would not be able to continue and the senior assistant referee would have to don the whistle for the remainder of the game, Geoff stepped up from the stands, borrowed the stricken referee's kit, and 'carried the flag' for the bulk of the game.
Geoff was in high spirits when explaining the situation at the time: "I'm probably the only member of the League Management Committee that still has their own hips and teeth, so it was handy that I was there and able to help out. After I helped the referee off the pitch, I borrowed his kit, and soon got into the swing of things.
It seemed like most of the first half was down my end, so I had to put the flag up a few times to bring the players down to my speed. The referee lent me his watch which was fine for the first half, but it was a bit tricky in the second half as I couldn't work out how to reset it at half time.
The match assessor came into the dressing room afterwards, and he was surprised when he found out how old I was. He said that after watching my performance for 90 minutes, he had thought I was much older than that!
As it turned out, the assistant on the other side of the field on Saturday was only 16. I don't think there will be many more occasions where you'll get such a difference in age between match officials officiating in our league.”
Aside from his roles officiating the game, Geoff has spent 25 seasons on the League Management Committee; starting as Secretary in 2000, remaining in that post for 7 years, before then coming Grading Chairman and finally took on the role of Vice Chairman 11 seasons ago.
“I have been very fortunate to work under 3 Chairman in my time: Dave Tomlinson, Paul Lawler and Chris Stirrup, and all three have given me full support in my roles.
One of the pleasures of doing the grading for this League has been watching clubs go from playing on flat fields and park pitches to calling football grounds home, where spectators can enjoy the facilities which have been produced by the many volunteers at our clubs. I make no apology for kicking a few backsides to ensure clubs met the required 31st March deadline for the required grading criteria.
The League is recognised as one where the clubs meet the required facilities and often get praise from The FA for how the Management Committee run the League. Maintaining and improving standards is what we have tried to encourage member clubs to achieve.
What is disappointing to finish my tenure as grading chairman is that the FA have allowed some applicant clubs to be allowed past the 31st March deadline, in fact at the AGM this year, two clubs didn’t even meet the entry requirements and one was passed on the morning of the AGM. Not exactly a moment to remember."
Finally Geoff would like to thank all club officials and Management Committee members for helping the League to become one of the best, if not the best, run League at Steps 5 & 6 and for the lasting friendships made over his time involved with the League, he intends to visit matches locally and keep involved if required.
Geoff Wilkinson steps down as NWCFL Vice Chair
Mon 31st August 2026 | Announcements
By Media Team
A change at the top of the League was announced at the AGM last weekend as Vice Chairman and Grading Chairman Geoff Wilkinson has decided to take a step back from his current roles.
Geoff advised League Chairman Chris Stirrup and Secretary John Deal early in January that he would be reducing his time spent on League duties.
He has been involved with the League since 1982 (the very first season!) when he was promoted to Referee on the League. This resulted in a 10 year spell on the League, in addition to 8 years as a linesman on The Football League and 5 years refereeing on the Panel (Conference and Central Leagues).
Following retirement as an active match official (but not forever, more on that later), he also served as Secretary of the North West Counties Football League Referees & Linesman Association, which played its part in giving advice to officials on helping them understand what was required to officiate on the League, this included advice offered by Appointments Officers, League Officials and Managers.
There was a memorable moment back in 2011, as Geoff, then aged 64, took to the field of play as a stand-in linesman during a fixture between Nelson and Daisy Hill. The referee pulled up with an injury inside the opening stages of the match, and once it became clear that he would not be able to continue and the senior assistant referee would have to don the whistle for the remainder of the game, Geoff stepped up from the stands, borrowed the stricken referee's kit, and 'carried the flag' for the bulk of the game.
Geoff was in high spirits when explaining the situation at the time: "I'm probably the only member of the League Management Committee that still has their own hips and teeth, so it was handy that I was there and able to help out. After I helped the referee off the pitch, I borrowed his kit, and soon got into the swing of things.
It seemed like most of the first half was down my end, so I had to put the flag up a few times to bring the players down to my speed. The referee lent me his watch which was fine for the first half, but it was a bit tricky in the second half as I couldn't work out how to reset it at half time.
The match assessor came into the dressing room afterwards, and he was surprised when he found out how old I was. He said that after watching my performance for 90 minutes, he had thought I was much older than that!
As it turned out, the assistant on the other side of the field on Saturday was only 16. I don't think there will be many more occasions where you'll get such a difference in age between match officials officiating in our league.”
Aside from his roles officiating the game, Geoff has spent 25 seasons on the League Management Committee; starting as Secretary in 2000, remaining in that post for 7 years, before then coming Grading Chairman and finally took on the role of Vice Chairman 11 seasons ago.
“I have been very fortunate to work under 3 Chairman in my time: Dave Tomlinson, Paul Lawler and Chris Stirrup, and all three have given me full support in my roles.
One of the pleasures of doing the grading for this League has been watching clubs go from playing on flat fields and park pitches to calling football grounds home, where spectators can enjoy the facilities which have been produced by the many volunteers at our clubs. I make no apology for kicking a few backsides to ensure clubs met the required 31st March deadline for the required grading criteria.
The League is recognised as one where the clubs meet the required facilities and often get praise from The FA for how the Management Committee run the League. Maintaining and improving standards is what we have tried to encourage member clubs to achieve.
What is disappointing to finish my tenure as grading chairman is that the FA have allowed some applicant clubs to be allowed past the 31st March deadline, in fact at the AGM this year, two clubs didn’t even meet the entry requirements and one was passed on the morning of the AGM. Not exactly a moment to remember."
Finally Geoff would like to thank all club officials and Management Committee members for helping the League to become one of the best, if not the best, run League at Steps 5 & 6 and for the lasting friendships made over his time involved with the League, he intends to visit matches locally and keep involved if required.
