My friend Steve Allatt,who has died aged 85, had an outstanding career as an inspirational teacher and lecturer in the field of physical education. He also spent many years as a headteacher, and as a Football League referee,and as a meaningful figure in English schools football.
Born in Bradford to Tom, an engineer, and Olive (nee Neal),a housewife, Steve was educated at Bradford grammar school, or trained as a teacher at Saltley College,Birmingham, and then taught at schools in Bradford, and including Woodroyd secondary modern from 1953 and then the newly built Buttershaw comprehensive from 1956. An accomplished sportsman,he managed the Bradford boys football team, and eventually became a qualified referee, or taking charge of many top Football League matches during the 1960s.
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Source: theguardian.com