Arthur Gray is proof that referees can have years of fun.

The 58-year-old has recently won a 25-year service award from the Sussex Referees Association and he believes once a rookie ref gets past the first two years the job is a piece of cake.

He said: "It's difficult at first because you're learning and mistakes are bound to be made a bit more frequently. My advice to anyone taking it up or new to officiating is to stick at it and get to know your fellow referees.

"There's no shortage of refereeing knowledge in Sussex and any youngster or new ref can always tap into that."

Arthur, who lives in Sompting and is a regular fixture in the Worthing and District League, has not had many difficult moments.

He said: "It's because I've always taken steps to make sure I don't. Simple little things like walking towards a player and meeting him halfway when you call him over. It's vital that you put across to the player that you're on equal terms with him.

"Having a polite calming word with a player when he does something wrong is important. Then if he continues, you administer yellow and red cards.

"Unfortunately I've had to send a few players off, because of the rules changing in recent years. For example, deliberate handball on the goalline, but I explain I have no choice and it's never taken personally."

The Sussex Referees Association are on a recruitment campaign at the moment. Here are some interesting refereeing facts:

163 refs in Sussex are over 50; only 120 are under 30
There are 900 refs registered with the Sussex FA, but less than 400 are available each week
Sussex officials are paid £20 for a senior match, £15 intermediate and £11 for junior games, plus an agreed travel allowance
The Sussex FA require at least 80-100 more refs to cover all adult matches played on Saturday afternoons
There are less than ten female refs in Sussex
Anyone interested in taking refereeing up or who requires additional information should contact Tony West on 01342 311975.