Alan Snoddy (second from right), in the main picture to Diego Maradona, was officiating in the World Cup for the first time with Argentina taking on Italy.
A former Irish League referee recalled how he prepared to officiate Diego Maradona at the World Cup by taking charge of a match in Northern Ireland’s Amateur League.
Alan Snoddy was a referee’s assistant for Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Italy in the group stages of Mexico 1986.
Alan Snoddy reflected on what was then the biggest game of his career after Diego Maradona passed away.
“I found out just a few days beforehand that I’d be doing that game,” he said.
For a man who was one of the most high-profile Irish League referees during a 25-year career before retiring in 2003, his final fixture before travelling to Mexico will likely surprise many.
“Believe it or not, it was Bangor Young Men against Kelvin Old Boys in the Amateur League,” he explained. “I went from taking charge of that on the 8th May to being linesman for Argentina v Italy less than a month later.
“What I was trying to do was keep as fit as I could. There was a four-week break between the Irish League season ending, so I was just doing all I could to prolong my season and keep my fitness up.”
Not forgetting of course Alan’s centre stage as referee in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups taking charge of Portugal v Morocco (1986) and West Germany v Senegal (1990).
We will be talking about Alan’s amazing life as a top class FIFA Referee and assistant Referee on ‘The World of Lord Russell’ PodCast Show on Thursday 10th August 2023.
Also available on all Podcast Media Plaforms and the Norfolk Lord Website.
I look forward to seeing you all on the inside 
