ALLAN Hosie, one of Scotland‘s best-ever referees and then a formidable administrator after hanging up the whistle, has died aged 80.
A larger-than-life character, Hosie, below, was a popular figure with players who took charge of 22 Test matches between 1973 and 1984 before calling it a day. Like many referees, he had switched to officiating after a bad injury – back in his case – ended a promising playing career with Hillhead HSFP at the age of 19. By the age of 27 he was making his Test debut, taking charge of Ireland‘s game against England in Dublin during the troubles, the famous occasion John Pullin noted that England might not be any good but at least they turned up.
After retiring from whistling, Hosie became a mover and shaker with the SRU – he was chairman in 2002-3 – and for many years represented the Scots on the old International Rugby Board (IRB) while also serving as their Lions representative.
Along with IRB chairman Vernon Pugh, he was an early advocate for Italy‘s joining the Five Nations tournament but possibly the post he enjoyed most was serving as manager to Scotland on their South Pacific tour in 1993 when he proved an outstanding success and forged firm friendships with that great era of Scottish players.
In recent years, Hosie had to endure many health challenges, including the amputation of both legs. Buoyed by the love of his wife Fiona, family and friends, he nonetheless remained as sharp of mind and good humoured, as befitting the tales from his refereeing pomp.
Preparing to take charge of an Ireland v England match, Hosie recalled: “My good friend Willie Duggan was coming out at the back of the Irish line-up.
“He had a Woodbine in his hand. He was a terrible man for the Woodbine. I was behind him. He took one last inhale before, in full view of the TV cameras, he gave me the fag.”
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