Duo inducted into the Hall of Fame

Jack Taylor and Ken Ridden are the first two members of the PGMOL Hall of Fame

The PGMOL has inducted the first two members to their brand new Hall of Fame and the first one will probably come as no surprise.

At the time of his award Jack Taylor was the only Englishman to have refereed a World Cup Final and he has been rewarded for 63 years of service to referees.

The Wolverhampton born former Referee is still heavily involved and has "contributed an enormous amount to the development of refereeing in this country".

He was presented with his award at this year’s summer conference by National Group Manager David Allison who paid tribute to the 80-year-old:

"He demonstrated supreme talent and had an imposing presence on any football field and he’s the man to whom many of my generation looked for inspiration and guidance and boy we got it."

"What has always struck me about him is his modesty about everything he’s achieved."

"He attended over 40 games last season at my request and probably the same the season before and I hope in the season to come. He is still contributing an enormous amount to the development of refereeing in this country and typically much of it is unseen and unheralded."

The second addition is Ken Ridden who was described by FA Head of Senior Referees Neale Barry as "one of the most highly respected figures in the English, European and world refereeing family and has been for over 25 years."

"He was an accomplished Football League Referee before he moved into full time referee administration and education. His tenure as Head and then Director of Refereeing at the Football Association was a period of enlightened advance."

Courtesy of the PGMOL website.