VAR may at the moment be dominating dialogue in Scottish soccer, however over 60 years in the past it was a Lanarkshire referee who was a pioneering determine.
Nevertheless John Cox's exploits weren't in his hometown of Rutherglen, and even all through Scotland - they had been in Argentina.
The whistler took cost of 31 matches in South America, together with key fixtures with giants comparable to Boca Juniors and River Plate.
His journey from the Royal Burgh to Buenos Aires was just lately checked out by Robert Harvey, who runs the Soccer Histories Scotland group that repeatedly meets in Rutherglen Library.
Robert defined: "“All of it started with an article within the Rutherglen Reformer newspaper in January 1948. It said that Mr .J.S .Cox has signed a contract to officiate in Argentine soccer, with the headquarters at Buenos Aires, and that he was crusing in March for the opening of the South American season, which lasted from April to November.
"He was accompanied by two different Scottish referees - Mr. W. Brown, Bellshill, and Mr. J.L .Confirmed, Chapelhall - and 5 referees from English soccer. They'd their passages out and residential paid, and shall be paid 15 kilos every week from the day they go ashore."
Robert's analysis discovered that Mr Cox was a revered determine within the Scottish sport, taking cost of matches such because the 1953 League Cup last and the Scotland v England worldwide in April 1945, which the Scots misplaced 6-1.
Nevertheless in South America referees had been thought-about to be of poor high quality.
Robert defined: "Within the mid-Nineteen Forties, the Argentine referee was poorly regarded. Followers thought they favoured massive groups and locals. This triggered a number of violent occasions and in considered one of them, in 1946, Osvaldo Cossio was saved by a hair from being lynched in a match between Newell's and San Lorenzo.
"It reached a degree that in 1948 the Argentina Soccer Affiliation determined to rent a bunch of British referees and John Cox was one of many referees. Soccer was robust and gamers performed to win -shin-guards to guard legs weren't necessary there."
The Rutherglen group have now found additional details about Mr Cox and are searching for additional particulars.
Robert added: "One of many gents, Simon, from the Rutherglen group has additionally recognized that John lived on Farmeloan Highway, and was a automobile mechanic to commerce.
"He was born in 1909 or 1910. He additionally recognized the delivery line that John was a passenger on going to Argentina and in addition the return journey.
"On the best way residence the ship was the Highland Chieftain and it stopped at La Plata, Santos, Rio De Janeiro, Lisbon and Vigo. It will need to have been some journey for John, and he was incomes 15 kilos every week.
If anybody has any extra details about the soccer profession of John Cox, the Rutherglen Soccer Recollections group within the library want to hear from you.
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