A lifelong resident of North Vancouver, Al worked for North Van city for 35 years in the Engineering Department, he was a member of St. Andrews United church and a giving member of the community. A long-time square dancer “Cowboy Al” leaves a legacy of quilting creations and a garden shared with neighbours and friends. On family vacations in Osoyoos “Cowboy Al” was known for napping on the motel grounds, along with a much sought-after peach pie recipe. He had a love of football – with 57 years of officiating under his belt, and coaching soccer. He enjoyed many cruises and an across-Canada trip.
Al’s football involvement began with him playing intermediate Canadian Football junior B & Canadian High School football 1947 -48. Junior B football was played at McDonald Park which meant a street car, ferry, & another streetcar to Kerrisdale Park from his home in North Vancouver. The only time he got his name in the local press was when he snapped the ball over the kickers head
In 1950 while in high school, he became the line coach for their high School team which went on to win the championship beating the Duke of Connaught team at UBC stadium. One of the star players was Larry Reda who always greeted him with “Hi Coach “
In 1960 Alan found his greatest calling in football as he embarked on a 59-year career as an official. He became an official in the GSL league (American 8 man rules). He worked his way up & often refereed games coached by feared BCFOA Life Member Coach Bud Lancey.
Was accepted in 1964 to join Canadian Football Referee Association. In those days when you threw a penalty flag you sounded a small horn strapped to your waist which often confused players & was later done away with.
Al officiated many Junior & Juvenîle games as umpire, head linesman, field judge, and timer. Often refereeing juvenile games. A few times he worked as line judge at UBC.
In 1970 Al was asked to work CFL games as part of sideline stick crew. Soon after he was hired by CFL to work on the sideline which included firing the gun at the end of game. The blank shells used in the gun were supplied at his cost. Al had a great sense of humour. He once spoiled an attempt by a film crew to set something up by throwing some feathers & a rubber chicken next to him just after he fired the gun.
Al remembers the old Empire Stadium field being grass but in rainy weather it turned to mud, and the marching band members leaving their boots stuck in the mud.
In 1974 the American Referee Association was given the Canadian Football contract to do Canadian games, and because of this the CFRA folded. Two years later Sinclair was allowed to join the ARA group but had no voting privileges for two years. He worked as umpire, head linesman, and field judge as well as timer doing both American & Canadian games. The ARA later became the BCFOA. Al remembered that Bill Diett would always give out neatly hand printed assignment for the coming week at each meeting.
In 1982 the Lions moved to BC Place and the CFL made a personnel change thus ending Al’s CFL involvement. His successor, Greg Barnes invited Al to be his assistant at a BC Lions game against Montreal which had been the visitors in the last game that Al worked at Empire Stadium. Al commented that it was a nice gesture to remember old times.
Al was given a Gruen Precision stop watch to assist him when timing. While showing it off to Jamie Graham he discovered the inscription on the back of the watch “ On loan from the Gruen watch company”. Al had used the watch for the past 25 years & had not noticed the inscription.
In 1990, Sinclair decided to only work games at stadiums that featured electronic clocks, including the likes of games at SFU, UBC, BC Place, Swangard, and Burnaby Lakes.
In 2011 Al was assigned to time the Canadian College final, the Vanier Cup, held at BC Place.
SUMMARY
1970 – 1982 BC Lions football at Empire Stadium Stick crew & field timing crew
1972 – 2017 Canadian Junior Football Official and timing
1972 – 2017 SFU Football (Swangard and Terry Fox Field) timing
1977 – 2017 American High School Official and game clock
1985 – 2017 UBC Thunderbird Stadium CIS timing