Spintso Celebrates 50 Years of b+d: A Legacy of Innovation in Refereeing

At Spintso, we want to take a moment to highlight the 50-year anniversary of b+d, a company with which we share a long history of collaboration and innovation in refereeing. Their journey from a simple idea to a global success story is an inspiration, and their dedication to quality aligns closely with our own mission.

A Small Mishap That Led to a Big Innovation

In 1975, Winfried Baaser, an active referee in Germany’s second-highest football league and an assistant referee in League One, had a moment he’d never forget — he arrived at an important match without any of his equipment. What seemed like a minor mishap turned into a frustrating experience, as he had to scramble to borrow everything he needed before kick-off. His focus was gone, and match management suffered. Determined never to face such a situation again, Baaser had a spark of inspiration when he got home. He grabbed his daughter Viola’s pencil case and reimagined it as the first-ever "Referee Set Original"—a compact, practical folder designed to store a whistle, note cards, yellow and red cards, and a pen, all within easy reach. From that day on, he never stepped onto the pitch without checking that his new invention was with him.

Courage, Luck, and Refereeing Expertise

A great idea alone isn’t enough—it takes courage to turn it into a success. Baaser took that leap, launching his own company and securing an order form in the official DFB referee magazine, reaching referees across Germany. The response was overwhelming — 30,000 sets sold in the first year alone. This milestone laid the foundation for a brand that would go on to define quality, innovation, and deep referee expertise for the next five decades.

A Family Legacy That Stands the Test of Time

Today, Baaser’s daughters, Viola and Noel, continue to lead the family business alongside their mother, Dagmar. Even after 50 years, the Referee Set Original remains a cornerstone of the product lineup—modernized and improved over time but still faithful to its original purpose. This legendary product continues to set the standard for refereeing equipment. It’s a testament to how a simple yet brilliantly conceived idea can shape an entire industry and last for generations. Link to b+d: b+d / Allzweck website

At Spintso, we celebrate b+d’s 50-year journey and look forward to continuing our shared mission of innovation and excellence in refereeing. Of course we have the referee folder set now in stock, check it out to get yours now: b+d Referee Set Folder Original