Recently, I came across a photo of Leo Horn.
Older readers of BwB may remember him as an international referee from Holland.
I certainly recall him from my younger days as the ref who was ‘always’ in charge of the Home International between Scotland and England.
‘Always’, though, really means three times… 1962, 63 and 64… and all Scotland victories!
Some years prior to these games, Horn also officiated at the famous 1953 international between England and Hungary at Wembley.
A Ferenc Puskas-inspired Hungary speedily came out of the blocks in this match and were 4-1 up after 27 minutes, eventually winning 6-3 in front of 105,000 spectators.
Pre-match, this encounter was widely hailed as the match of the century and an ‘unofficial world championship decider’.
The World Cup had not attained the unquestioned prestige it now enjoys, with only 13 teams competing in Brazil in 1950.
Horn was an unlikely choice as referee, having only been on the Fifa list for two years.
But he had come to the attention of the venerable Sir Stanley Rous, himself a former referee, and was given the nod.
Prior to taking up the whistle, he was also very famous for his role in the Dutch WW2 Resistance.
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