Rugby League lost a true gentleman when Cliff Brown passed away last October. In a career beginning in 1947 and finishing in 1962, Cliff refereed 172 first grade matches. He also controlled several NSW-Queensland matches, as well as NSW clashes against the touring New Zealand team in 1956 and Great Britain in 1962. Born in Leichardt, Cliff was a strong running centre with St. Josephs Rozelle in the Catholic competition. After a major shoulder injury as a 17 year old, which became worse and worse as he continued to play until he was 24, Cliff began refereeing in the Balmain Junior League in1944 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to the NSWRL grade ranks in 1946 and that year controlled the Presidents Cup Final at the SCG, where Manly took the title, beating North Sydney 12-8. During his first grade career, Cliff was regarded as one of the best, along with such men as Col Pearce and Darcy Lawler.
Cliff was a Life Member of the Balmain and NSWRL Referees Associations. After retiring from the refereeing ranks, Cliff continued to serve our game. He was appointed as the NSW Referees Association delegate to the NSWRL General committee. He was later elected to the Management Committee, a position he held for 10 years. He was also a member of the examination board. In 1966, he was manager of the NSW teams for their games with Queensland and in 1977 managed the winning Australian World Cup team. When the NSWRL decided to appoint a Director of Referees, who had sole control of all appointments, Cliff was their man and he successfully did this job until he retired in 1982. In 2008, Balmain honored Cliff when they introduced the Cliff Brown scholarship which recognizes the most promising Under 14 referee in the Balmain district. Cliff's wife of 65 years, Gloria is still fit and well, living at Ryde. His sister Pat Bourke, wife of the great Balmain and NSW centre Tom Bourke of the late 1930s and early 1940s, is also still living and doing well. Tom Bourke partnered the legendary Frank Hyde in the 1939 Final, when Balmain won the Premiership by defeating Souths 33-4. Tom scored two of the Tigers' seven tries and Frank one. No Grand Final was required as Balmain were also the Minor Premiers.