That’s not just the ref though. The players never used to argue and called the ref sir, long gone now.

That's not really true. Plenty of players used to argue.
The likes of Steve Nash or Andy Gregory would argue. Most didn't but then many don't now.

It's got worse yes, but having a dialogue with the ref is not a bad thing, just needs to be respectful.
One of the differences now is there are too many small detailed rules open to interpretation.

Fred and friends would just march them back 10 yards and send them off if it got to much.
He was a strong character but was respectful to players too.
He coached with my dad at Eastmoor and coached my brother. I only had him as coach a couple of games.
Great man.

True but not like they do now, it's coached into them at some clubs IMO.

I'd say Alex Murphy was probably the first serial whinger.

Sad news, R.I.P Fred, from an early Eastmoor Elf

RIP Fred from one Eastmoor lad to another. A sad day for the Lindop clan. The man to me was a living legend from watching him on TV before I got to join Eastmoor at 7 where he was often around the place in one capacity or another. I was lucky enough to get an ear full from him on a number of occasions on the pitch whether training or on the sidelines.