Birmingham County FA was saddened to learn of the passing of Coventry-based match official Allen Toms this week. 

Allen, who had served more than 50 years as a referee, was a great ambassador for football throughout his service with Coventry RA and Coventry & District Sunday League. He continued to help officials progress up the refereeing pyramids as well as providing advice for new and young referees by being only a phone call away.

Mike Penn, Chairman of Birmingham County FA, recently presented Allen with his Grassroots Match Official of the Year award from the 2019/20 season. 

When presented with his award from the 2019/20 season, Allen was joined by those closest to him for the presentation including Allen Dadley, John Starkey, Norman Padgett and John Morris. During the selection process Allen exemplified the County FA’s values and embraced the DNA of English refereeing as well as demonstrating many of the FA’s PRIDE values. He was a worthy winner of this award.

Here are some comments about Allen from the Coventry Referee Association:

It is with great sadness I inform you that our President and league founding member Allen Toms passed away earlier today in the University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire after a long illness.

The Coventry Sunday Football League management committee have declared that prior to all CSFL games commencing this coming Sunday, April 11th a one minute of silence will be observed by players in remembrance of Allen and for all the work on behalf of the league.

Allen Toms joined the Coventry & District Sunday Football League as Club Secretary of Parkstone Working Men's Club F.C. in 1962 when the League was formed as the first Sunday Football League in Coventry (and many designated it to be a 40 day wonder with much opposition at the time).

At the inaugural first General meeting of the League Allen volunteered to become a member of the Management Committee of the League. Allen was elected as Registration Secretary of the League in 1970 and carried out this office until 1975.

In 1977 the current League Treasurer moved away from Coventry and Allen took on the role of Tote Secretary a scheme which formulated the financial stability of the League. Allen was appointed to represent the Senior League as delegate to the Birmingham County F.A. in 1977 and in 2007 became a Life Vice President of the County F.A. The position of League Treasurer became vacant in 1983 and Allen was elected as Treasurer a position which he carried out the duties of until 1995.

In 1998 the position of Vice Chairman of the League became vacant and Allen was elected to this position. The office of Chairman became available in 2003 and this post was filled by Allen until he stood down in 2015. The post of Referees Appointment Secretary in 2005 and in his usual manner Allen volunteered to take on this office until 2008 and again from 2013 until 2016. Allen's final accolade with the league was the honour of being appointed President of the League a duty he proudly accepted and diligently carried out.

Allen was honoured by the Football Association when he was presented with an award for 50 years service to Junior football as a player, volunteer, administrator, and Referee. The League presented him with a Cup named after him in 2019 but unfortunately due to the Covid 19 pandemic the Clubs in the League have not been able to play for it.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Allen’s family at this sad time.