BRIGHOUSE Under-12s will need to be on their best behaviour in a cup final this month.
For the man in charge of the match will be none other than top Premiership whistler Mike Riley.
Riley - more used to handling the likes of Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry - will make sure Brighouse behave when they represent the BUPA League in the West Riding County FA Junior Shield (Under-12) final on Tuesday, April 19.
The man regarded as one of FIFA's top referees has accepted the appointment when Brighouse take on Normanton from the Charles Rice League in Wakefield.
Wakefield-based Riley, one of England's top Premiership officials and England's referee at last year's European Championships in Portugal, has been given the task of keeping things under control.
And both the Brighouse club and county FA secretary Roy Carter are delighted that Riley has accepted the appointment.
Mr Carter said: "The appointments committee considered who should referee the final for this youngest age group.
"I suggested it would be a tremendous boost for the players if I could persuade Mike Riley to do it.
"I'm pleased to say he was more than agreeable to come along and take charge."
And Mr Carter's feelings are backed up by Phillip Baker, manager of the Brighouse team.
"It's a real honour for anybody to have an official of this standing to referee the game.
"It's also fantastic for the players of both teams and makes the event even bigger than it would have been.
"I was lucky enough to reach the 1988-9 West Riding County Challenge Cup final when I played for Halifax Irish, but we lost 1-0 to Thorne Colliery.
"So I know how it feels to reach a final. I hope the lads will enjoy it. I'm going to make it as special as I can."
If any local football fans think they know they know the name Phillip Baker, they could be right. He played for junior team Holme Valley Blues and then Emley in about 1980.
The final is at FA headquarters, Woodlesford, near Leeds, at 7.30pm.
Brighouse will be hoping to hit the form that earned them a 4-1 semi-final victory over Kellingley Welfare and a 2-1 quarter-final replay win over Farsley Celtic.
