MANY people in Hereford and beyond are saddened by the death of Betty Finney, wife of former top football referee Jim Finney.

Her life was largely governed by football, the licensing trade and bringing up a happy family.

She died at St Michael's Hospice last Saturday and for Jim, grieving at his home in Three Elms Road, Hereford, it was a case of losing his 'rock' and number one supporter.

The couple would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary at the end of this month.

They met in the Kerry Arms in Hereford in 1949 and married in 1951, when Jim was starting a refereeing career in which he was to become one of the best in the world.

While he travelled to many countries for high profile matches Betty held the reins at home in Hereford, where the couple were developing a career in the licensing trade.

Betty Louise, aged 82, was born and brought up in Knighton and had ambitions to be a nurse, doing initial training at Llandrindod Wells. A change of heart saw her joining the NAAFFI and being sent to work in Hereford at the former Bradbury Lines base.

Her next job took her to the Kerry Arms where she met Jim, who was at a football meeting.

He was a civil servant working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food but, with Betty's experience behind the bar, the couple decided on the licensed trade.

Their first pub was the Golden Cross at Sutton before Jim became licensee of the Anglers Inn in Union Street and then the Gamecock in Holme Lacy Road.

Their longest stay was at the Tabard in Commercial Street, following in the boots of another well-known referee, Jacko Williams.

Betty became involved with the ladies committee of Hereford Licensed Victuallers' Association, which raised money for the former Hampton Grange Home for the Blind at Hampton Park.

Because of her duties at home, Betty was unable to travel abroad to watch her husband referee European and World Cup matches but she was at Wembley to see him take charge of the 1962 FA Cup final between Spurs and Burnley.

The couple were seriously injured in a car crash in 1971 which effectively ended Jim's glittering career. He later became a representative for a brewery company and then football administrator of Hereford United.

He was greatly supported by Betty, who helped a former club director, the late Arthur Bush, to raise money for the club.

The couple were held in such high esteem in the world of football that Jack Charlton and a host of soccer stars attended the blessing of their long-lasting marriage at Holy Trinity Church, followed by an 'extra time' party in Hereford in August 2001.

Betty is survived by Jim, three children, Alan, Jane and Robert, and four grandchildren.

Her funeral takes place at Holy Trinity Church, tomorrow, Friday, August 12, at 10am followed by burial at Hereford Cemetery.