Max Lea MBE was presented with the 50-plus years membership award from the Referees Association by Peter Molyneux.

He also holds the Long & Meritorious Award which was also presented to him by the Referees Association.

Lea refereed for more than 19 years in the Maccabi League. He has officiated in many other leagues, representative games and cup finals, including the Cyril Ankerstein Cup final in 1974.

A well-respected figure throughout the football fraternity for his good sportsmanship and his utter devotion to football and to youth in general, Lea has given unbroken service to many leagues over the years and to football in general and is still involved as a referees assessor most weekends.