FA Cup Final Referee Nippard Dies - Ipswich Town News

Derek Nippard, the man who refereed Town’s 1-0 1978 FA Cup final victory over Arsenal at Wembley, died on Friday aged 87 after a long illness.

Nippard, who was taking charge of his last match after 11 years on the Football League list, and his linesmen famously took part in their own lap of honour after the game.

The former gas board employee, who BBC commentator David Coleman noted took care to wear two watches during the final, was subsequently a member of Hampshire FA Council for 26 years.

Nippard attended the FA Cup final reunions organised by Town in 1998 and 2008.

His funeral will be held on 1st August at Bournemouth Crematorium, commencing at 2pm.

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