The contribution of a local referee has been recognised by the FA with a prestigious award. Well-known local official Keith Greensides was presented with the FA's 40-year Continuous Referee Service Award at the October meeting of Great Yarmouth Referees' Association.

The contribution of a local referee has been recognised by the FA with a prestigious award.

Well-known local official Keith Greensides was presented with the FA's 40-year Continuous Referee Service Award at the October meeting of Great Yarmouth Referees' Association.

The award was presented on behalf of the FA by Shaun Turner, chief executive of Norfolk FA.

Keith first registered in the 1963/64 season and his first game was Martham Reserves v Halvergate Reserves in the Yarmouth League. He then progressed via local football to the Eastern Counties League (now the Ridgeons), initially as a linesmen and was then promoted to the referees' list of that league. Then in 1970 he was appointed as an assistant referee on the Football Combination, the league for the reserve teams of the professional clubs. When, due to age, he was removed from that list, he decided to return to local grassroots football. He has remained at that level ever since and has since gone on to officiate in excess of 2,500 games, truly a remarkable achievement, especially when you consider he was 70 this year and still referees.