VALE: Ray Sandell OAM
Football NSW is deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of Ray Sandell OAM, a highly respected and widely admired referee, administrator, and lifelong servant of football in Australia.
Born in 1932 in Staines, England, Sandell migrated to Australia in March 1954 after beginning his football journey in England, including time with the Chelsea FC reserve team. He continued his playing career in Australia, featuring for Leichhardt Annandale in the NSW First Division in 1955 before later playing in the Nepean region from 1956 to 1967.
In 1968, Sandell made the transition into refereeing, joining the Australian Soccer Referees Federation (ASRF). His dedication and professionalism saw him rise steadily through the ranks, culminating in his promotion to the NSW First Division Referees Panel in 1976. That same year, he was appointed as a linesman in the inaugural Philips National League.
Sandell went on to serve at the highest levels of the game, joining the National League referees panel in 1983, the same year he retired from on-field refereeing due to a knee injury. His contribution to the game, however, was far from over.
In 1984, he was awarded Life Membership of the ASRF and continued his service as a National League Referees’ Inspector until 1996, becoming the longest-serving referees’ official in the National League at the time, with two decades of continuous involvement as a referee, linesman, and inspector.
Beyond match-day duties, Sandell held a wide range of influential roles, including National Youth League Referees’ Appointments Officer (1981–1982), NSW State President of the ASRF, National Vice President of the ASRF, and NSW Soccer Federation Referees Appointments Officer from 1986 to 1995. He also served on multiple committees across Soccer NSW and Soccer Australia, including disciplinary, tribunal, appeals, and international match committees.
Sandell’s influence extended onto the global stage through his work as FIFA’s Referees Liaison Officer for visiting international referees across Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, and Wollongong from 1981 to 2004. His service included major tournaments such as the 1981 and 1993 FIFA World Youth Cups and the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where he worked closely alongside senior FIFA officials and earned widespread respect across the international football community.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to football, Sandell was presented with an inscribed gold wristwatch by FIFA President João Havelange in 1993 and was made an Honorary FIFA Referee. His service and dedication were further honoured with induction into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.
A long-time contributor to sport beyond football, Sandell was also a Life Member of the Parramatta Cricket Association and continued to dedicate himself to community sport in later years, including involvement with the Central Coast Mariners Schools Development Program, the Central Coast Academy of Sport, and various charitable and football-related organisations.
In 2012, he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to football and refereeing, recognising more than five decades of unwavering commitment to the game at all levels.
Ray Sandell’s legacy is one of service, leadership, and extraordinary dedication to football in Australia and internationally. His contribution has left a lasting impact on generations of players, referees, and administrators.
Football NSW extends its deepest condolences to the Sandell family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
May he rest in peace.
