Had the great pleasure of meeting Ken Aston a number of times when I was a young referee in Romford. He was an engaging speaker with many wonderful stories. He claimed to have been the brains behind the red and yellow linesman flags in use today (there were no 'assistant referees' in those days). Prior to that the linesmen had flags in club colours, which merged in with the supporters scarves and flags behind them.
Ken Aston RIP could have made a career as a comedian if refereeing hadn’t intervened. How is it that referees were the pick of PFTF? Because Clive Thomas’ episode was equally brilliant.
