PC Payne came out of the crowd to run the line at Molineux

Local bobby went to watch the match, but when the referee was felled by a powerful shot from Johnny Hancocks, there was a gap that needed filling ...

- By STEVE GORDOS

POLICE Constable Ron Payne went to Molineux as a spectator and ended the match as a linesman.

It happened one day in December 1955 and was only the second time that season that Ron had been able to attend a Wolves game.

Early on, as Wolves took on Burnley in the First Division, Sheffield referee Jack Sherlock was hit by a thunderous shot from Wolves' sharp-shooting winger Johnny Hancocks. Struck in the kidneys, Sherlock carried on until half-time but the Wolves club doctor advised him not to continue.

So linesman Ron Bladon from Burton on Trent took over and there was the unusual sight of a diminutive figure in a dark blue suit, complete with watch and chain, taking over as linesman. It was Tom Harding, a stalwart member of the Wolverhampton Referees' Association whose job on match days at Molineux was to look after the officials' dressing room. Small in stature Tom was always knowns as “Tich”.