Kevin Parry is calling it a day and putting the whistle away after 35-years of service as a referee.
After taking charge of his first match as an 18-year-old in 1985 in a Sunday League match at Llysfaen, Kevin Parry will now spend his weekends in the stands, observing prospective referees.
Kevin’s next chapter will be as a referee observer. This means that he’ll be advising and guiding the next generation of referees in Wales.
He’s hoping that his experience and professionalism will be a huge gain to Wales’ future referees.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have so many good football people around me, said the 53-year-old.
“But now I’m looking forward to see the next generation of referee’s in Wales,”
“Hopefully my experiences can be of benefit to younger referees.”
As a young man from Trefriw in the Conwy Valley, he began his career as a referee in the Vale of Conwy League. He quickly came acclaimed to the role of the man in the middle.
Kevin’s refereeing style and his management of the game didn’t go unnoticed by those in charge. He rose through the ranks, and by 1990, he was a Class A referee.
The Trefriw man’s rise and promotion up the refereeing ladder was quite astonishing, as he became a League of Wales and a F.I.F.A assistant in 1993.
During his time as a referee, he spent many years as one of Wales’ FIFA officials. This meant that he, and his fellow officials, represented Wales on the European stage.
Being a F.I.F.A official meant that he’d travel all over Europe, both as a referee and as an assistant.
His first experience in Europe was as an assistant at Dalymount Park, Dublin, as Bohemians faced Bordeaux in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. A 23 year old Zinedine Zidane sealed a 2-0 victory for the visitors, as Bordeaux topped their group.
He recalled another fixture out in Bucharest, Romania, when he met International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee: Ilie Năstase.
“We were in Bucharest, in Romania, and we met Ilie Năstase.”
“He was probably the most famous man in Romania, and we were having a drink and a chat with him!”
When Kevin’s F.I.F.A career ended, his career in the Welsh top flight continued at a consistently high level.
His 27 years as an official in the top division in Wales means that he’s been a part of the league since it’s second season.
During that time, he was an official in two Welsh Cup finals, one as an assistant, and one as a referee.
His first Welsh Cup final was between Wrexham and Cardiff City at the Cardiff Arms Park in 1995. Wrexham won the match by two goals to one.
“It was a proud moment being selected as an assistant for the Welsh Cup final,
“It pushed me on to want to referee a Welsh Cup final one day.”
Kevin’s opportunity to take charge of a Welsh Cup final came in 2012, in a game between The New Saints and Cefn Druids at Nantporth.
“That was the proudest moment of my career,” Kevin says.
“Being able to referee your country’s national cup final is the pinnacle for me.”
“Having Chris Coleman there handing out the medals, it was a very proud moment.”
(Featured Image: David Sinclair)
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