26.3.17

Segar Bastard


In the 19th century officials (umpires and referees as they were until 1891) were often drawn from among the ranks of the players.
Segar Bastard of Upton Park refereed the 1878 FA Cup Final at the age of 24.
Mr Bastard had the distinction of refereeing an international match before playing in one.

He took charge of the 60 minute match between England and Wales at a snowy Oval in January 1879.
In March 1880 he made his sole international appearance as a player, playing wide on the right in a 5-4 defeat in Glasgow.
Two days later he umpired in the Wales v England match at Wrexham.

In 1881 Mr Bastard oversaw Wales' shock 1-0 over England at Blackburn (again in the snow).

In 1882 he acted as Umpire in England's games with Scotland (a 5-1 defeat) and Wales (a 5-3 defeat).

As a player his greatest successes came in 1882-83 & 1883-84, winning the London Senior Cup with Upton Park.