VAR might currently be dominating discussion in Scottish football, but over 60 years ago it was a Lanarkshire referee who was a pioneering figure.
However John Cox's exploits were not in his hometown of Rutherglen, or even throughout Scotland - they were in Argentina.
The whistler took charge of 31 matches in South America, including key fixtures with giants such as Boca Juniors and River Plate.
His journey from the Royal Burgh to Buenos Aires was recently looked at by Robert Harvey, who runs the Football Histories Scotland group that regularly meets in Rutherglen Library.
Robert explained: "“It all began with an article in the Rutherglen Reformer newspaper in January 1948. It stated that Mr .J.S .Cox has signed a contract to officiate in Argentine football, with the headquarters at Buenos Aires, and that he was sailing in March for the opening of the South American season, which lasted from April to November.
"He was accompanied by two other Scottish referees - Mr. W. Brown, Bellshill, and Mr. J.L .Proven, Chapelhall - and five referees from English football. They had their passages out and home paid, and will be paid 15 pounds a week from the day they go ashore."
Robert's research found that Mr Cox was a respected figure in the Scottish game, taking charge of matches such as the 1953 League Cup final and the Scotland v England international in April 1945, which the Scots lost 6-1.
However in South America referees were considered to be of poor quality.
Robert explained: "In the mid-1940s, the Argentine referee was poorly regarded. Fans thought they favoured large teams and locals. This triggered several violent events and in one of them, in 1946, Osvaldo Cossio was saved by a hair from being lynched in a match between Newell's and San Lorenzo.
"It reached a point that in 1948 the Argentina Football Association decided to hire a group of British referees and John Cox was one of the referees. Football was tough and players played to win -shin-guards to protect legs were not mandatory there."
The Rutherglen group have now discovered further information about Mr Cox and are seeking further details.
Robert added: "One of the gents, Simon, from the Rutherglen group has also identified that John lived on Farmeloan Road, and was a car mechanic to trade.
"He was born in 1909 or 1910. He also identified the shipping line that John was a passenger on going to Argentina and also the return journey.
"On the way home the ship was the Highland Chieftain and it stopped at La Plata, Santos, Rio De Janeiro, Lisbon and Vigo. It must have been some adventure for John, and he was earning 15 pounds a week.
If anyone has any more information about the football career of John Cox, the Rutherglen Football Memories group in the library would like to hear from you.
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