Tom Delahunty
British-New Zealand association football referee
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Thomas Gee Delahunty (28 July 1935 – 14 October 2018)[2] was a British-born New Zealand association football (soccer) referee, who was a FIFA referee from 1968–1984.
Withington, Manchester, England
Waikanae, New Zealand
| Full name | Thomas Gee Delahunty[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
28 July 1935 Withington, Manchester, England | ||
| Died |
14 October 2018 (aged 83) Waikanae, New Zealand | ||
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 1970–1984 | New Zealand National Soccer League | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 1968–1984 | FIFA listed | Referee | |
Early life
Delahunty was born on 28 July 1935 in Withington, Manchester, England.[2][3][4] He initially played football (soccer) as a goalkeeper, but stopped after dislocating his fingers aged 14.[2] At the age of 20, Delahunty moved to New Zealand,[2] and he became a naturalised New Zealand citizen in 1981.[4]
Career
Delahunty decided to take up refereeing aged 18. He worked for two years in Manchester, and continued after moving to New Zealand.[2] From 1968 until 1984, Delahunty was a FIFA international referee.[2] In total, he refereed 19 international matches, including a number of New Zealand home internationals during the 1970s.[2][5] From 1970, Delahunty worked as a referee for the newly formed New Zealand National Soccer League, and also refereed two Chatham Cup finals.[2][6] Delahunty retired from refereeing in 1984.[2]
In 1999, Delahunty was inducted into the New Zealand Soccer Hall of Fame.[7]
Death
Delahunty died in a nursing home in Waikanae on 14 October 2018.[1]