One of the referee development coaches/trainers on the ref courses etc loves to tell the story of running the line on his kids games... at the time League One/Championship AR Saturday afternoon, ball in and out + offside Sunday morning.
I recall the first 'proper referee' I met in grassroots football.
His lad was playing u15/16, I asked the manager who'd be 'running the line' and he pointed this chap out to me.
I'd say mid 30s, looked athletic enough, didn't think much of it.
Before I could disappear, the manager then told me the 'lino' was a current EFL assistant referee...
Went over, mentioned what I knew and the AR wasn't happy (in a joking way) that he'd been 'dropped in it', so to speak.
Anyway, I've never seen a CAR run so fast!
One minute I looked at him at halfway, looked away, back and he was down in line with the 6 yard area!
I genuinely thought he was teleporting!
After that, he did a few games in a Saturday afternoon local OA league that I was often assistant on. Ran his line a couple of times, and still remember a lad watching saying 'i like this ref, he's having none of it' to the moaning about players not getting decisions.
I think he's stopped now as not really seen his name on the league fixtures but a thoroughly lovely chap!
