Fred Kirkham (football)

Kirkham was a well-known domestic referee who also had a job as a commercial traveller. He took charge of the 1906 FA Cup Final. He had also taken charge of 11 "A" International matches between 1903 and 1907, including Wales vs. Scotland on 9 March 1903, and was considered in the top three of world referees. and Wales on 6 March 1905 Fred Kirkham also refereed a match between Belgium and Netherlands on 9 March 1913. Despite claims to the contrary, he did not referee the 1902 FA Cup Final - this was Tom Kirkham from Burslem. ==Career as football manager==

Just one week after refereeing a Southern League match between Spurs and Watford he was a surprise appointment as manager of Tottenham Hotspur on 22 April 1907. The club's history records that "He was not a success as a manager, unpopular with players and fans alike and it was no surprise when, after the settlement of his contract, he resigned in 1908." (27 July). His record as a manager is recorded as: played 52, won 25, drew 8 and lost 19. ==References==