Ulster Rugby vs Ospreys

KINGSPAN STADIUM TOUR FOR RAY WILLIAMS

We had a very special visitor this week when esteemed former referee Ray Williams received a tour of The Nevin Spence Centre and Kingspan Stadium. Minutes of the IRFU Report of the Committee 1963-64:

Ray, who turned 92 on Thursday, refereed 21 international matches and was the man in charge of the whistle when the Barbarians last played at Ravenhill back in 1957. Upon Ray’s retirement as an International Referee he was honoured by the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees for his outstanding service to rugby football and to the art of refereeing (pictured below alongside Harry McKibbin, IRFU President, receiving a plaque and a silver whistle). In 2005, the IRFU honoured its past and present referees who officiated at the highest levels of the game. A special cap presentation ceremony took place in Dublin, where those referees who officiated at senior international level each received commemorative caps for their services to the game. Notable mention was made that “Ray Williams, first capped in 1957, refereed at test level until 1964, including three tests on the Wilson Whineray led New Zealand tour to the Northern Hemisphere.” Other notable tributes recorded include:

“It is sad to learn that Mr R.C. Williams, who has refereed more international matches than any other referee in the history of the game, but who has still many active years in front of him, has decided to retire from representative engagements. Your committee have recorded their appreciation of Mr Williams’ conduct as an international referee and their pleasure that he has earned so much praise from other countries.” Letter written to Ray Williams in 2012 from Sir Wilson Whineray, one of the greatest captains of the All Blacks: “The 1963/64 tour is regarded in New Zealand (and the UK I hope) as the last of the ‘great tours’ - over 35 games and 4 months away. We would like to include you in our group of ‘good guys’ - neutral, fun and fair.” Article by Ernest Strathdee in Ulster Illustrated in 1958: “The greatest rugby referee of our time.”

RAY WILLIAMS

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