TOP referee Martin Atkinson was put through his paces by school footballers – just hours before he took charge of a crunch Premiership game.
The professional whistler was at Westfield Pupil Referral Unit at Field Hill, Batley, to take charge of a five-a-side tournament held to mark the opening of a new £50,000 sports facility.
But he had to leave early to get to Liverpool, because of the small matter of refereeing the Everton v Chelsea game on Thursday night!
It was a crucial game in the Premiership and Chelsea won 1-0.
Teams from five schools took part in the inaugural five-a-side tournament – set to become an annual event.
It was organised by the Safer School’s Partnership, an initiative which sends police officers into schools to make sure they are safer places for pupils and teachers.
Westfield looks after children with emotional and behavioural problems.
The school had a new multi-surface games area installed, thanks to funding from Kirklees Council.
Headteacher Martin Ridge said: “It was a smashing day and all the kids loved it.
“It was for children who might not have been part of school football teams before.”
As well as Westfield, there were teams from Almondbury High School, Birkdale High School, Batley Business and Enterprise College and the eventual winners, Newsome High School.
Atkinson agreed to run the rule over the tournament because of links with Pc Keith Parkinson, who works with Westfield on the behaviour improvement programme.
Pc Parkinson has football connections, having made 25 appearances for Leeds United in the 1970s and early 80s.
Mr Ridge said: “Martin Atkinson comes into school now and again to talk about respecting the game and linking that with having respect for people out on the streets.”
Atkinson, one of the country’s top referees, first took up the whistle in Mirfield, taking charge of games in the Heavy Woollen Sunday League.
