BRITAIN’S oldest football referee Frank Foster has no plans to blow full-time on his hobby — at 89.
The energetic great-grandad aims to carry on officiating well into his 90s before he hangs up his whistle for good.
So far, he has taken charge of more than 5,000 men’s, women’s and children’s games during a 43-year career and he still refs three times a week.
Frank, who turned out as a player for Bamford FC in Derbys in his younger years, took up coaching and refereeing after a knee injury forced him out of the game.
He passed his referee’s exam in 1980, scoring 98 per cent.
He said: “I just love being a ref — whether it’s girls’ football, women’s, boys’ or men’s, I’m the same.
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“I love the game but you’ve got to play by the rules, so no diving or dissent. I don’t accept trouble, even from spectators.
“When I talk to the players before the match, I tell them to play to the whistle and all that jazz.
“I tell them to not get into altercations and that I’ll sort it out because if you retaliate, then it’s even worse.”
Frank, of Sheffield, officiates for the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.
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The Sheffield United supporter says people occasionally comment on his age after matches, but not often.
He added: “There has been times when I’m leaving the field and someone comes up to me and asks how old I am.
“I ask them how old they think I am. They might say 67 but I’ll always say, ‘Spot on’. I don’t think about my age and I’ll be a referee until I can’t keep up.
“I might eventually need a moped at half-time but I’ll always keep doing it!”
On being strict with rowdy supporters, he said: “One time I sent a chap away and he asked how far I wanted him to walk.
“I told him that if he sees a No5 bus then he should get on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
