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HUGE TURNOUT FOR CARL COUZENS' FUNERAL A vast contingent of Spartan South Midlands League referees were among over 400 mourners who attended the funeral of our Association Secretary Carl Couzens. Fifteen minutes before the cortege arrived, a queue nearly a hundred yards long had formed in the rain outside the chapel of The Vale Crematorium at Stopsley in Bedfordshire.
At the request of Carl’s family, the referees donned League ties as a mark of respect for the man affectionately known as ‘Couz’ one of the most popular match officials ever to have emerged from the Spartan South Midlands League. Though Carl’s passing had come as a great shock to his friends and colleagues, his parents had requested that the funeral service should be one of celebration and thanksgiving for a life which had encompassed so many ventures in just 37 years. The celebrant, Belinda Wren, spoke glowingly of Carl’s qualities not just as a highly proficient football referee, golfer, badminton player and umpire but of his love of home, family and friendships and the enjoyment that he had derived from his last job of driving buses around North Hertfordshire. Such were the numbers in attendance that many were unable to find a place in the chapel or even among those who crowded six deep into the entrance lobby. Unfortunately, a fault in the sound relay system meant that those huddled outside trying to shelter from the rain, had difficulty in following the order of service.
Perry recalled many amusing times in Carl’s company but said the greatest testament to his popularity was that people had travelled from all parts of the UK and overseas to pay their final respects. These included his great friend Lars Toftland from Denmark who regularly refereed alongside Carl at the Dana Cup international youth tournament which he had attended for 20 consecutive years. On such a sad day, time for a smile as Perry referred to Carl’s one fault - his dreadful time-keeping. “There were three types of time – Greenwich Mean Time, British Summer Time and Carl Couzens time! Unfortunately, the only time he was early is the reason for us being here today.” Two other refereeing colleagues, Michael and Tanya Bradley penned this very moving poem: Carl sat the test and passed with colours, He joined the League with flying honours. He soon ran the line and waved his flag, Every weekend he packed his bag. Before too long he controlled the match, He had become the Man in Black. During many a game his whistle blew, Out of his pocket yellow and red cards flew. Football was his life and passion, Onwards and upwards was his mission.
Until that fateful day in JuneWhen the referee blew full time too
soon. Afterwards, hundreds gathered at Hitchin Town FC to enjoy the refreshments laid on by the family and to mingle, mix and exchange stories about a colleague whose progress to the top of the refereeing world had been so tragically cut short. Everyone has been encouraged to send a donation in Carl’s memory to help research into asthma, the condition from which he had suffered with quiet dignity for so many years before he finally succumbed just three weeks short of his 37th birthday. If you haven’t already done so, you can still send a cheque payable to Imperial College Trust to: David J Binks The Association will be meeting shortly to decide how best we can perpetuate Carl’s memory. Meantime, please continue to keep Carl’s heartbroken family in your thoughts and prayers. Bill Hamilton
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Next Meeting - Monday 27 September 2010 - 7:45 PM Start - Venue TBA |
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Many
acknowledgements were received from friends, a period was given over
for quiet reflection and a special tribute paid by his close friend
and refereeing colleague, Perry Gascoine.