IT was an emotional night for David Pike when he received the award for the Young Referee of the Year in Bedfordshire recently. He immediately dedicated the trophy to his late father, who passed away last September, for the support he had given him during

IT was an emotional night for David Pike when he received the award for the Young Referee of the Year in Bedfordshire recently.

He immediately dedicated the trophy to his late father, who passed away last September, for the support he had given him during the past decade as a referee.

Dave, 25, from Stotfold who works for a large IT company in Letchworth, took up the whistle after admitting he was not very good as a player.

He received all his eductaion in the area first at Roecroft Primary School before moving on to Etonbury and then Fearnhill.

Talking about being a referee Dave said: "The game is changing with more and more dissent coming and players trying to con referees by using simulation.

"Players do respect a strong referee who shows a little commonsense and that comes across as being a human being.

"I like to think I do that job to a good level."

Captain of Southill Park Cricket Club 2nd XI, Dave has also came close to being a victim of violence by a spectator on one occasion.

"It was during an under-18 game at Hitchin's Top Field about seven years ago The away team had scored their fourth goal and after this I was verbally insulted by two home players," said Dave.

"I sent them both off and after this a parent ran on to the field to confront me before another referee who was watching, came on and got hold of him before he got any closer.

"To be honest I love the game of football but was never that good as a player so I took up refereeing after a few friends said it might be interesting and it has been.