LOVING tributes have been made to a much-loved former referee from Prestatyn following his death.
John Carter who was known across the North Wales football scene having refereed in the area for years, died on February 16 aged 85 after a battle with sepsis.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, his three children, his stepdaughter, and his grandchildren.
Originally from London, John and Mary were together for 34 years, and married for more than two decades, moving to North Wales in 1999 after initially living in Ongar, Essex together.
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A Tottenham Hotspur supporter, Mary said football was one of John’s greatest passions, and loved being involved in the game as a referee and linesman.
She paid tribute to her “absolutely brilliant” late husband.
Mary said: “We met him through our jobs – I used to sell gas bottles imported from Portugal, and John used to buy them for his business in London.
“I gave that job up and went to work with him down there. We used to live in Ongar, but then bought a farmhouse in Ffynnongroew – we were there for 20 years, before downsizing and moving to Prestatyn.
“He loved North Wales; he said that, if anything happened to me, he would never sell up and go back to London.
“We went everywhere together; twice, we bought a RV in America and went all over America for three months. We went to Spain, to France… we had some brilliant times. He lived a full life.”
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A minute’s silence was held at matches across North Wales in John’s honour last weekend, Mary added.
After moving to North Wales together, she said he had been a referee in the area ever since, right up until his death.
She added: “He absolutely adored being a referee and linesman. He had all of his games planned; he was supposed to be doing it all last weekend. He absolutely loved it.
“He loved going out on his bike; he went out every day for an hour, around Prestatyn and Rhyl. He loved gardening, and football was his life.
“He was absolutely brilliant. He just loved all of the people here, and made loads of friends.
“He looked after me so well; I didn’t have to worry about anything. He was so good to me; I’m going to miss him terribly.”
Peter Leach, chairman of Prestatyn Athletic JFC, also celebrated John's life on behalf of the club.
He said: "As a referee, John would always take the time to explain his decisions to the under-12s and under-13s who were still learning the 11-a-side rules.
"Everyone was very grateful for his patience and the dedication he showed to grassroots football.
"More recently John was a regular figure at the Morfas (pitches), walking his small dog affectionately known as 'the Rottweiler'.
"He would always ask how everyone else was and always made time for you, no matter how busy he was.
"He will be very sadly missed by us all at Prestatyn Athletic JFC."
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