Town coach and legend back men in black

Nov 27 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Booth, who used to play for Lindley Juniors and Elland, added: “I still have friends who play in the district leagues so I still take a keen interest in local football.

“I’m pleased the Examiner is running a campaign because I hope the situation is sorted out.”

The 34-year-old said being a referee was the second best thing to playing and if people were interested in taking up the whistle they should enquire about the types of courses available.

Booth said if the problem of recruiting referees in Huddersfield’s leagues continued and was mirrored in other areas, it could have a detrimental affect on the sport’s future.

In an interview with The Examiner in February, Sir Trevor Brooking, the director of football at Soho Square, said the FA lost about 7,000 referees nationwide each year.

The figure proves that the problem has started to plague the game not just locally but on a national level.

Anyone interested in becoming a referee should contact Neil Simpson, referees’ instructor for the Huddersfield FA, on 01422 374916.