Fred Kirkham (football)

Kirkham was a well-known domestic referee who also had a job as a commercial traveller.

[1] He had also taken charge of 11 "A" International matches between 1903 and 1907, including Wales vs. Scotland on 9 March 1903,[2] and was considered in the top three of world referees.

[6] Despite claims to the contrary,[3] he did not referee the 1902 FA Cup Final - this was Tom Kirkham from Burslem.

Just one week after refereeing a Southern League match between Spurs and Watford he was a surprise appointment as manager of Tottenham Hotspur on 22 April 1907.

The club's history records that "He was not a success as a manager, unpopular with players and fans alike and it was no surprise when, after the settlement of his contract, he resigned in 1908."