The Fermanagh and Western Referees Association celebrated 50 years at the forefront of the game here at the Killyhevlin Hotel on Saturday night.

Founder member back in 1968 George Parkinson was in attendance with his family while the guest at dinner was Crawford Wilson, vice President of the Irish Football Association. He is also a leading County Antrim FA official and a former Chairman of the IFA Referees Committee.

Crawford remarked on how the Fermanagh and Western Referees develop referees to travel country wide and the achievements of the groups four FIFA Officials was widely noted by all speakers on the night.

Football and motorcycling personality Liam Beckett regaled the crowd with a typically witty speech but also made the call for more respect for referees throughout the game at all levels.

There were a number of presentations on the night and these included Life Members awards to Neville Cathcart, Clive Mitchell, Cyril Walker and Basil Marshall. Long Service to Association awards to Pat Chesters, George Parkinson, Cecil Given, Joe Crawford and the late Frankie Hannigan. Neville Cathcart collected a Service to Association award while Malcolm Moffatt won a Service to Refereeing accolade.

Fermanagh and Western Football League and Association Hall of Fame winner Joe Keenan concluded the presentations by presenting Fermanagh and Western Referees Association chairman Basil Marshall with his Service to Association award.

The Irish Football Association, Fermanagh and Western FA and North West Referees Association made presentations to the Fermanagh and Western Referees.