Former referee, Winston 'Dirks' Campbell. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator - News

ALTHOUGH HE has put down his whistle and thrown away his yellow and red cards, former FIFA referee Winston 'Dirks' Campbell has not parted company with the game of football he served for two decades.

These days, the lanky, jovial 64-year-old Campbell, who now lives in New Jersey, attends a few select games on his regular visits to the island where he can be found among the VIPs, or on the sidelines telling tales of the past, or poking fun at his old friends.

Clad in black, gold and green, 'Dirks', as he is affectionately called, spoke briefly with The Gleaner at the Entertainers versus Masters game, held at the Waterhouse Mini-Stadium on Ash Wednesday.

Decisions questioned

Seated in the front row among media personnel and Waterhouse Club officials, 'Dirks' chuckled and jeered as some of the players, such as former national player Allan 'Skill' Cole, cricketers Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Jimmy Adams and entertainers including Wayne Marshall, Adonia and John Hype, displayed some fancy footwork.

"Yes Allan, watch Allan," Dirks chuckled away.

His presence at the game was punctuated with a number of friendly attacks from some former players who still question some decisions he made.

"Dirks, I remember one day you gave me a red card and all now I don't know what got it for."

"Mr. Campbell, mi score a goal one day and you say it was off-side."

"Dirks, I remember a Waterhouse/Boys' Town game and the ball bounce me on my hand and you gave a penalty and said I intentionally handle the ball."

Those were some of the many questions he was asked to provide answers for.

Always in control

His referee career began in 1971 and he officiated his last game in 1990, but he is still well remembered by the coaching fraternity.

Lebert Halliman (Excelsior High and former national juvenile coach) said: "Dirks Campbell is one of the greatest Jamaican referees he laughed and joked with the players while the game was in progress, he was always in control."

Patrick 'Jackie' Walters (Glenmuir High and former national junior coach) said: "He was like a teacher and guide for most of the younger players."

Percival 'Itesman' Cordwell (Holy Family Primary coach): "I remember one day my team (Rae Town) was playing a game and one of my players committed a foul, which in my opinion could have been a red-card offence. Instead of booking the player, Dirks called him over to where I was standing and reprimanded him, then told him to 'go and play some decent football."

Skillful players

Emerson Henry (former national junior coach): "Dirks was a referee who wanted the game to go on. He was never biased in his decisions. As a referee, he taught the players while the game was going on. He always advised the players to keep the game clean."

For his part, Dirks believes the referees in his day were much fitter than the current crop of officials now.

Also, he said the footballers of the past were more skilful than those of today.

"However, there are a few youngsters that have really caught my attention. They include Ricardo Gardner and Ricardo Fuller," said Dirks.