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| Born | (1943-11-26)26 November 1943 Widnes, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 20 July 2025(2025-07-20) (aged 81) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Robin Whitfield (26 November 1943 – 20 July 2025) was an English rugby league player and referee. As a player, he was a fullback for his hometown club Widnes, and later went on to play for Barrow and Huyton. After finishing his playing career, he became a referee, officiating his first professional game in 1980. He took charge of three Challenge Cup finals, and regularly refereed international matches throughout the 1980s.
Biography
Whitfield was born in Widnes, Cheshire 26 November 1943.[2] He began playing as a fullback for Widnes. A prolific goal-kicker, he kicked 11 goals in a match in 1965, a club record which stood for over 30 years.[3] He moved to Barrow in August 1969, where he made 45 appearances before transferring to Huyton a year later.[4]
He eventually ended his playing career due to a poor disciplinary record and turned to refereeing.[5] He was added to the Rugby Football League's Grade One referee's list during the 1980–81 season.[2] He went on to officiate three Challenge Cup finals (in 1983, 1986 and 1992).[6] He also took charge of the third game in the 1983 State of Origin series.[7]
Throughout his career, he refereed over 400 games, both domestically and internationally,[8] before retiring in 1994.[9]
Whitfield died after suffering from Alzheimer's disease on 20 July 2025, at the age of 81.[10]
Personal life
Whitfield was the elder brother of Colin Whitfield, who played rugby league for Wigan and Salford.[5]
References
- ^ "Robin Whitfield - Referee Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ a b Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1992). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1992-93. London: Headline Publishing Group. p. 388. ISBN 978-0-7472-7906-8.
- ^ "Recording the facts". Warrington Guardian. 29 July 1999. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ "Former Barrow player and Rugby League ref Robin has died". The Westmorland Gazette. 22 July 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ a b Riviere, Richard de la (16 November 2021). "Rugby League Heroes: Robin Whitfield – Total Rugby League". Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ igoo (23 July 2025). "IN MEMORY: ROBIN WHITFIELD". Widnes Vikings. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "The RFL pays tribute to Robin Whitfield". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Dollin, Shawn. "Robin Whitfield - Referee Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Bettley, Dave (9 June 1994). "Why ref knew every trick". Widnes Weekly News. p. 71 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tributes to distinguished rugby league referee Robin Whitfield". Runcorn and Widnes World. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
External links
- Profile at rugby.widnes.tv
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