THE Warrnambool sporting community is mourning the loss of former football umpire Allan Main.
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The Warrnambool and District Football Umpires Association life member passed away this week after a battle with cancer.
He was 64 and leaves behind his wife Carol, children Jake and Luke and grandchildren Kyan, Reid and Emmy.
Main was one of Roy and Betty Main’s six children, with brothers Les and Ray and sisters Dawn, Glenda and Julie.
Ray Main said his brother was well regarded in the community.
“He started working at The Standard as a printer and went out on his own for a while,” Main said.
“He ended up going into employment placement and he loved that role. He really enjoyed helping young people find their way and go forward.”
Main played junior football for YCW and Warrnambool before playing seniors at East Warrnambool and South Rovers. But a badly broken leg while playing soccer ended his contact sport career.
Main took up umpiring, officiating in 361 games, including the 1987 senior Hampden league grand final.
Fellow umpire Norm Gibson paid tribute to Main.
“We umpired together for a long time and he was a pure gentleman,” Gibson said.
“He was a great umpire and very respected by the clubs and the players.
“He was a very good communicator. If it was a 50-50 call he would explain his decision and everyone would move on.”
Main’s funeral will be on Monday at Eastern Park Chapel.
