I was sad to read about Ron Cross s final whistle. Like many Sunday footballers in Stevenage, I played in games with Ron in the middle. He was brilliant. He called everyone by their first name and had a quiet authority that defused any potential problems

I was sad to read about Ron Cross's final whistle. Like many Sunday footballers in Stevenage, I played in games with Ron in the middle. He was brilliant.

He called everyone by their first name and had a quiet authority that defused any potential problems on the pitch. You almost felt it would be shameful to misbehave while he was in charge.

I remember one sunny Sunday morning he turned up at half-time for our match at Buntingford. It was the first day of summer and he had forgotten to change his clocks.

You could not condemn him - we had a laugh and started the game late, and even, in jest, queried his timekeeping during the match. (You sure it's half-time, Ron?)

It says much that I cannot remember the game at all - just Ron Cross.

Stevenage football should have a lasting memorial to the man - an annual match, referee's award, or trophy, if it does not have one already. He deserves to have his name live on.

PAUL FRY, Maygrove Drive, Orewa, New Zealand