FIFA Referee (Retired) Leslie Mottram of Scotland, a world class soccer Referee who officiated  the World Cup in the United States in 1994, the European Nations Championships in England in 1996 and countless professional league and cup games throughout the world, visited Yokosuka on Tuesday, 9 may 2000.

The purpose of Referee Mottram’s visit was to conduct a training session with USSF Referees of the Japan-American Sports Officials Association (JASOA) based in this U.S. Navy base. Taking time off from his hectic schedule, Referee Mottram, who now officiates in the Japanese Professional League (known a J-League) and  instructs Japanese Referees in the various Referee Training Centers in Japan, spent the evening with JASOA Referees discussing topics ranging from Referee positioning and movement on the field to “offsides” and duties of Assistant Referees.

Thanks to Referee Mottram’s teachings, JASOA Soccer Referees are more ready than ever to take the field.

This was Referee Mottram’s second visit to Yokosuka. Last year, after he had found out  that the Boys Far East Tournament was being held in Yokosuka, he offered to officiate some of the matches.  He wore his J-League Referee uniform and when he arrived at the field, many players instantly recognized him. He made the Far East tournament a special event for the players. He is sort of a soccer celebrity in Japan, certainly the only J-League Referee to reach such a status. He also participated in the clinic that was held by ORA Mack Alarcon and Assistant ORA Bill Shelton in Yokosuka just prior to the tournament.

Since then, Referee Mottram  has developed personal friendships with some of the JASOA Referees to whom he provides sound advice and encouragement. He has played a major role in helping JASOA Soccer Referees obtain the solid reputation that they enjoy today.

The evening ended over a steak dinner at the Base Officers’ Club.