Top honour for referee Rod

The award was presented at the Marriott Hotel, Preston, by Premier League referee Martin Atkinson who is bound for the European Championships.

During his refereeing career, Rod officiated in the Lancashire Combination, North West Counties League, Lancashire Amateur League, English Universities League and, most recently, the Accrington Boys League. He also refereed several junior sides at Burnley FC plus being the fourth official when Burnley were in the old Second division.

For the last eight years he has acted as a supply league assessor for referees seeking to be promoted from Level 4 to Level 3, the Premier League being Level 1.

He has held a course for aspiring officials entitled “So you want to be a football referee” at Westholme School, Blackburn, since 2013.

He has also acted as football coach to Pendle Under 15 and Under 11 teams and for the last seven years has coached at St Thomas CE Primary School, Barrowford, who this season were Pendle Primary School Champions.

Rod said he was delighted to receive the honour and would encourage any youngster to take up refereeing at the earliest opportunity.