ROMFORD, UK – Tributes poured in from all corners of British hockey this week as it was revealed that long serving referee Dave Tottman had died suddenly at the age of 58.
Known across the South East of England and London for his warm hearted and unique personality, Tottman was a regular official both in junior and senior hockey for many years. Approachable and honest, Dave was always the first person to hold his hands up after a game to any mistakes he made and more than happy to converse with the fans and players of the sport he loved.
Dave in action
It was his love of the game that shone through in his commitment to ensure that hockey could take place on any day and at any time. His weekends would be jam packed with fixtures at all levels, usually at his local rinks of Romford and Chelmsford, and even midweek as he helped out refereeing London based recreational fixtures late at night.
In a country with a chronic shortage of officials, Dave would often be the key to making sure everyone could play the games they wanted too. This responsibility was something he would relish and his pride in his whistle and stripes was evident to anyone who met him.
This pride extended naturally to his daughter Joy, who would often officiate games alongside him as a young girl until she went on to become an Olympic referee at the 2006 event in Turin. It is small comfort that he managed to see Joy selected for not one but two Olympic events before his passing, as she also officiated at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
Dave was still skating last season as a registered official and will be a big miss to everyone involved in hockey both on and off the ice. For all his commitment and professionalism on the ice, Dave was a colourful character off it. His numerous hairstyles and love of the bling and mobile phone made his persona all the more unique and shattered the stereotypical image of referees as boring and plain.
Popular off the ice
His wide smile and Essex twang would light up any rink he was present in, as would his loud instructions to players during a game including the legendary foghorn-esque scream to rule out an icing call.
“Although everyone may not have always agreed with his calls on the ice – there is no question that his heart was in the right place” explained Rob Corkum of the London Rangers.
“No matter how much abuse we threw at him he came back week after week with a smile on his face, ready to help us out again and ready to engage in more banter”
“Unlike many other refs I never had to chase Dave. If he said he was going to be there he would be there”
Indeed Dave was there for the Rangers virtually every Tuesday, late at night for nigh on nine years refereeing their scrimmages. This almost obsession with the sport he loved was reflected in the many messages posted online following the tragic news on Tuesday 2 August.
The well wishers came from people like Sky TV presenter and former player Nick Rothwell who referred to Dave as a ‘brother from our hockey family’ and well respected UK referee Dave Cloutman who described him as ‘a character and a real gentleman who will be missed by us all’.
The ‘Dave Tottman – Legend but never forgotten’ Facebook page had over 600 members less than 24 hours after its formation and Dave would probably never have guessed the reaction his passing would have. A popular referee is surely an oxymoron? Not in this case.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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