The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-06-18
Stark HI a s Enviable
Record in Old and
This Country
az J. T. BARLOW.

middle west Is John Bow Stark. who
resides in Detroit and referees all OF
the more important matches played
In this part Of the country. He Is
a sturdy friend Of the old country
sport. and much Of the credit for
the foothold that has gained in the
States should be given to him.
Mr.. Stark was cornered in the SOL
way Athletic club the other night
by the soccer scribe and prevailed
upon to make some suggestions re-
garding the improvement Of the
game. and at the same time TO drop
some bits OF personal history that
would make good reading for the
folks who have watched him. with
the sidelines many times in the
past two or three years.
Mr.. Stark has risen rapidly to the
top among Scottish referees.
place. in the big black country OF
Isnarkshire. shire which has pro-
duced many soccer pioneers and lead
tng players. not the least OF the FOR
mcr being Mr. A. X. Kirkwood. an
ex- president OF the :. r A.. and Mr..
Tom watson. whom nearly all soccer
fans know. He belongs TO a sport
loving family.
His eldest brother donned the ter-
sey for old rddiugton. tiis other
were all noted path runners. His
family removed 10 Airdrie when he
was very young boy ard he used
to scrape the boots OF the Airdrie
~ h. IL 4eA u fAr
which he was remunerated with oc-
casional shilling.
Although not nm experienced play
or. ]. r. s. has been connected with
the game all his life.
He played for Chapelside in the
Airdrie schools cup competition. and
as Juvenile with Airdrie Violets. In
whose ranks Sandy Thompson. faith
er" of the present Airdrieonians. rg-
ured at right back. He was first adj
vised TO try refereeing by old Johnny
Welsh. one of the finest half-baeks
that ever kicked ball for the Air.
drieonians.
AR. stark made a start at ofaciat-
ing In an Airdrie and district Junior
league game. and he declares that
the grass was so long that he only
saw the ball when IL was in mid-sir.
After this match he suffered TO great
though he came somewhat rapidly to
the front az whistle" blower.
The hardest Junior cup tie he ever
had charge of was between Ashfield
and Cambuslang Rangers. The teams
met three times before the battle
was decided Soon after he was seen
handling second league games.
The year he was promoted TO the
nrst league. while refereeing a game
at Tynecastie. between Harris and 81.
the players during the first half OF
the game At the interval. Bobby
walker went up to him. and In a
quiet manner. said;
''You are doing all right, young
man. but you must stop talking 10
tho players
And Mr. Stark passes that advice
on tn all young referees. Since then
he came rapidly to the front among
his important appointments being the
Scottish consolation and qualifying
finals. the Scottish and Glasgow sec-
ond and first finals. and. the Glasgow
and Sheffield inter city games lie
has also bad charge OF the following
land league. Irish VS.. English ANA
tours. Irish vs. English association
and Ireland vs.. Wales.
He has also been houored with
what IN every referees ambition. 10
ofaciate in the BLUE Ribbon of SOC
cer--nameiy the Scottish cuo final.
and last hut not least. he has
refereed the great international.
In gl2nd VS.. SrOtian0. played nj trv-
stall palace before a crowd Of $4,000
spectators.
Mr. Stark's advice to referees "a
study the laws of the game steadily.
II was never weary Of reading the
orstde and penalty laws" he said
These consider the most important
in the rules OF the game. I con-
slider that II would be n big Improve
nent II the penalty nick was taken
from where the INFRINGEMENT occur
rcd. and II would be fairer to both
sides.
"As for ofYside rule. would sug-
rcst that the ls-yard line he extend
ed right across the field. no player 70
he offside when outside the same. and
two instead ~ three opponents Re
between him and the goal line when
the ball i. last played by one OF his
own side"
Since coming 10 this side of the
water J. r. 8 has had all the honors
that the Michigan association could
bestow upon him. He has handled
all the important games. in the two