Career
He officiated in the Football League and the Premier League, and for Fédération internationale de football association. He comes from Worthing in Sussex. He has continued to maintain an involvement in top-class football since retiring in 2000. His other occupation was as an officer for the Inland Revenue.
Willard became a referee for the Football League in 1990, and was promoted to the Premier League list of referees in 1994.
He became a Fédération internationale de football association referee in 1996. On 28 March 1998, Willard was involved in "astonishing scenes" at Oakwell Stadium after the end of the Barnsley versus Liverpool match in the Premier League, which finished 2-3.
He had occasion to send off three players from the home side - Darren Barnard, Chris Morgan and Darren Sheridan - in the second half, causing play to be suspended for five minutes after Willard had been chased by an interloper. He had to be given a "police safety escort" off the pitch after the game.
The English referees" chief at the time, Philip Don, stated that Willard had not taken any Premier League appointments due to "personal reasons".
