In 1967, he was knocked unconscious by incensed Millwall fans following their team's 2–1 defeat by Aston Villa at The Den.

[4] At the end of the game Burtenshaw sank to the ground in celebration "pumping his fists towards the heavens".

Burtenshaw took charge of the 1972 League Cup Final between Stoke City and Chelsea,[5] and a European Cup semi-final second leg tie between Benfica and Ajax, which turned out to be the most senior European club appointment of his career.

[6] Burtenshaw retired at the end of the 1972–73 season, one which coincidentally saw the début of another Football League, FA Cup and FIFA referee from the same home town of Great Yarmouth – Alf Grey.

Burtenshaw was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1974 New Year Honours.