BOB FALEY, who died last week, was of Huddersfield's top referees.

But away from the soccer field, Mr Faley was well-respected both in business and for his charity work.

He had a distinguished 35-year career with the Halifax, which saw him rise to the post of personnel manager.

And he spent the last three years of his life battling to raise the profile of Huddersfield's National Children's Centre - a cause very close to his heart.

Mr Faley, 59, of Fixby, was determined to put the centre on the local and national map and certainly succeeded.

Born in South Yorkshire, he moved to Brighouse in 1973 and to Huddersfield four years later, with his wife Christine and children Stephen and Joanne.

His career with the Halifax followed a 12-month stint as a teenager in a Sheffield steelworks.

He worked in various posts for the bank and also enjoyed a three-year secondment to Calderdale Council on special projects.

But he was perhaps best known in Huddersfield for his work in football.

He took up refereeing in his 20s after a knee injury ended his own playing career.

Mr Faley was a former Football League linesman and went on to become a training officer, then head of referee development with the West Riding County FA, based at Woodlesford, Leeds.

He took charge of many top local football finals including the Huddersfield District FA Challenge Cup final (1976), Groom (1976), Hoyle (1978), Richardson (1981), Barlow (1984) and the Northern Counties East League final (1986).

In addition, Mr Faley received the unusual accolade of being appointed referee for the West Riding County FA Challenge Cup final twice, in 1976 and 1992.

Mr Faley also served as secretary to the now defunct Huddersfield Red Triangle League, and was a referee assessor.

Away from the sports field, he and his wife loved theatre and walking.

He also enjoyed jogging and completed the Great North Run in 1998 with his children.

He leaves a widow, two children and a grandson, James.

The funeral was taking place today at place at Fartown Trinity Methodist Church, where Mr Faley was a lay reader.

It was followed by a private interment, with donations going towards the National Children's Centre.