Date of birth: 29th October 1977

Referee since: 1998

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2000

Date promoted to Category 1: 2005/06

What influenced you to become a referee?
Having played football at county schoolboy level and then progressed into junior football for a couple of seasons, I realised that my progression as a player would be limited and saw refereeing as offering a opportunity to become involved at a level that would have been unlikely achieved through the continuation of playing.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
My first appointment was a friendly match between Hamilton Academical and Kilmarnock.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Probably the most memorable would be my first ever match which took place in the Lanarkshire village of Douglas. This presented a daunting challenge as it was the first time in years that I had turned up to a match on my own with no team mates.  I can’t remember who one but I know I was delighted when I blew for time up!

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being nominated by the Scottish FA for inclusion on the FIFA list of Referees in 2009 has to be one of my greatest achievements.  To be considered to represent your country at any level of sport is a very special achievement.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
To officiate at a World Cup final between any two teams would be the greatest achievement any referee could aspire.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Lionel Messi – fantastic ability, control, balance and intelligence as a footballer -  great to watch.  A true example of what a professional footballer should be both on and off the park.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Having the opportunity to officiate at a level of football that would only have been a dream as a player.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Being a referee is very demanding on your time which leaves little opportunities for hobbies.  Any spare time I have is spent with my family as I have two young children.  On occasion however I do get the opportunity to go clay pigeon shooting which I enjoy.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
I would say that this would hotly contested by a number of referees.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
No one springs to mind.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
John McKendrick’s patter is very ropey at times!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
I was refereeing a junior match between Kilwinning Rangers and Pollock when my assistant referee raised his flag and requested that I come over to speak with him. Worried that I had missed something which had occurred behind my back, I rushed over only for the assistant referee to inform me that the large inflatable Whyte & MacKay bottle which had been positioned behind the goal had lost air and deflated and that he was concerned that the sponsors would be annoyed at this occurrence. Following a few words of wisdom in the direction of the assistance referee (who shall remain nameless for fear of embarrassment) I turned and started the match. This assistant referee has never spoken about it again!

Date of birth: 16th March 1983

Referee since: April 1998

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: May 2006

Date promoted to Category 1: May 2011

What influenced you to become a referee?
My very limited playing ability had taken me as far as it was going to and I wanted to stay in the game and thought refereeing was the ideal opportunity to do this.  Both my dad and granddad were referees and both refereed the Scottish Amateur Cup final at Hampden.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Montrose v East Fife in the SFL Challenge Cup.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
My first ever game- Renton Craigandro v Duntocher U12s.  It was a cup final and I had been asked to be an assistant referee, however somebody did not turn up and I ended up refereeing!

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being promoted to Category 1.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Real Madrid v Barcelona at the Bernabeau.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Brian Laudrup in a charity match.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being a referee allows me to be involved at the top level in Scottish football which would not have happened as a player.  It has also led to me keeping myself fit and I have made many great friends.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
I like to play golf whenever I get the chance.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Davie Somers.  All the referees know why it takes him so long!!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
As a young inexperienced referee I was appointed as an assistant referee to a junior game.  I met up with the referee and other assistant and we arrived at the ground together.  However we had got lost and by the time we arrived both teams were out on the pitch waiting to start the game and the match observer was ready to watch the game.  The three of us managed to sneak into the dressing room through a backdoor and get ready for the match without many people noticing!

Date of birth: 16th September 1975

Referee since:  1995

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: Season 2002/3

Date promoted to Category 1: 2008

What influenced you to become a referee?
To put it bluntly, limited football ability. I played up until under-21 level, then realised I was never going to play at a higher level so I looked at other ways to get involved in the game.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
2/8/2008 – Stenhousemuir v Elgin City –  SFL Third Division.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
I refereed a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay a few years ago between Auchinleck Talbot and Cumnock. It was a sell-out crowd and we had to delay kick off for 30 minutes to let everyone in! There was an absolutely fantastic atmosphere and a great game of football.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Becoming a Category 1 referee - unfortunately not every referee achieves this level.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
I’d like to referee the current Barcelona team against the Brazil team of 1970. Apart from being a magnificent game it might solve the greatest player of all time argument! For the venue, a packed Maracana will do.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
I once had the pleasure of playing in a game at school with Davie Cooper. When I say played I stood and watched in awe for most of it.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
It’s hard to pick just one thing. I thoroughly enjoy every game I referee and I’ve made a lot of new friends since I started refereeing.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Away from refereeing and the associated training that goes with it I like to spend time with my family and play the occasional round of golf.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
A specialist assistant I train with, Charlie Smith, has yet to find an item of Ted Baker clothing that actually fits him although it doesn’t stop him from buying them!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Steven McLean but when you look as good as him it’s worth it…so I’m told.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
It’s too hard to pick one! Many a time I’ve almost nodded off on the way to a match!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Again hard to narrow it down to one specific moment. What I will say is I’ve had a lot of good times through refereeing.

Date of birth: 1st December 1969

Referee since: 2001

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2005

Date promoted to Category 1: 2007

What influenced you to become a referee? 
Played a bit of junior football and, after giving up for a few years to concentrate on other pursuits, was not able to play to the standard I wanted to when I went back.  I thought about refereeing as I was refereeing schoolboy rugby matches and enjoyed the run around, etc but it did not give me quite the same ‘buzz’ as football.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Elgin City v Montrose

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Dunfermline Athletic v Raith Rovers in April 2011 which was almost an SFL First Division title decider.  Full house at East End Park and a cracking atmosphere for the local derby.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Refereeing in the SPL.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Scotland v England  in the 2014 World Cup Final at Maracana in Rio de Janeiro (3-0 Scotland against 9-man England, two penalties)

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Easy, I suppose, to identify goal scorers or skillful midfielders but, as a defender in my time (!), Andy Webster always impresses me. He seems to have a lot of time when he plays and organises younger players around him very well.  I hope he gets another opportunity at international level.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
As well as the camaraderie, just being involved in the senior game - at all levels - is a privilege.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
I enjoy running (marathons!) and general keep fit. Cricket.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
My wife would probably say me but Mike Tumilty really needs to be reminded that he’s not 25 any more!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Stevie O’Reilly.  If you’re his fourth official you aren’t getting home for X-Factor - Match of the Day if you’re lucky!
I think he takes advantage of hot running water to have his weekly shower and then seems to have a lotion or cream for everywhere!

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Brian Winter.  The man is just non-stop!  On one of our Winter Camps to Spain, I was next door to Brian and Alan Muir (his room-mate) and poor Alan did not get a moment’s rest.  Voices, stories, wind-ups – Alan cruised through the fitness tests but was exhausted by Bernie’s incessant chat!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
One SPL manager – whom I share wine gums with when I am fourth official – came across to have a “wee word” about the referee’s decision/performance.  I listened then gave the manager a few sweets to keep his mouth busy in a more constructive way.

A couple of minutes later he came back and shouted at me, “Hey, you!” I was worried what was coming next… “I don’t like black ones!”

Date of birth: 7th July 1977

Referee since: 2002

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2007

Date promoted to Category 1: May 2011

What influenced you to become a referee?
My wife! She encouraged me to go along to the classes when they were advertised in the local paper. Initially I went along just to learn about the Laws of the Game and had no intention of actually refereeing any games. However, I did one game and got hooked! My wife is now regretting having ever suggested the idea...big time!

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Saturday 27th August 2011 - Montrose v Stranraer. Stranraer won 6-0!

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
There have been a few but it has to be the 2010/11 Emirates Scottish Junior Cup final between Auchinleck Talbot and Musselburgh Athletic. Auchinleck won 2-1 after extra time. It was live on BBC Alba and we had a film crew from the Scottish FA following us from 11am in the morning!

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
It has to be getting to Category 1. It took nine years of hard work and commitment, but it was all worth it when the letter came through the door last year to tell me I had made it.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
There are a few, but probably an El Classico at the Nou Camp.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
I remember refereeing Stevie Naismith at under-19 level and thinking then that he’d turn out to be a player. Also Craig Bryson was playing for Kilmarnock reserves and he stood out a mile. Probably the one that stands out the most though was Barry Ferguson. He was the Scotland captain at time and making his return from injury for Rangers reserves.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in a game that I love. I was never a great player, so to be able to contribute to top level football matches in Scotland is a fantastic honour.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Family, work and refereeing commitments mean that I have no time to have any other hobbies!!

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Without a doubt, it has to be John “ASDA George” McKendrick!

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Getting ready for a match... above answer!
Getting ready for a night out... former specialist assistant referee Chris Young!


Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
To be honest, there are too many to list!

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
There have been a few of these as well, although nothing in particular springs into mind! Some of the shouts you get at junior matches can be hilarious.
 

Date of birth: 22nd July 1967

Referee since: 1989

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 1994

Date promoted to Category 1: 2000

What influenced you to become a referee?
I was in the RAF and looking for something to do to fill time and saw the advert. The rest is history.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
East Stirlingshire v Cowdenbeath at Firs Park, Falkirk (now a supermarket). It finished 2-0 to Cowdenbeath.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
March 2011 in the SPL - Celtic v Rangers closely followed by UEFA Cup in 2008 between PSG and FC Twente.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Have managed to fit in a lot refereeing in the SPL, Champions League,  in 28 different countries and  at every senior ground in Scotland.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
The Highland derby being back looks good (have been an assistant once) and the Dundee derby would complete the set for me.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Luis Figo, or Cristiano Ronaldo (Estonia v Portugal) and Henrik Larsson, Brian Laudrup, Chick Charnley.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in the sport, getting to lead the teams out and have been lucky enough to travel and referee throughout Europe.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Hillwalking, alpine skiiing; bungee jumping, Alton Towers.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Having sewn most of their clothes to their beds in Spain, Crawford Allan and Kevin Clancy, closely followed by Agent Odd Shoes Frannie Andrews, who started a European fashion trend by wearing odd shoes on two trips.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Would have to be an assistant referee, Lawrence Kerrigan, but now after two recent games, John McCrossan wins by about 30 minutes.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Craig Thomson; whilst in a restaurant overlooking a Norwegian fjord that once was the holding area for the German fleet including Bismark, Craig pipes up, “So was that the only bit of Norway to be occupied?”  (Craig got an F in History).

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Seeing Gordon Middleton’s face as we ran off the pitch, after getting CS gassed in Belgrade, chapping Craig Thomson’s door in the hotel in Spain, it was the wrong room, and apologies to Mr Mick Hucknal for disturbing his pre-concert nap. Seeing Dougie McDonald get out of the elevator on the 2nd floor of the hotel after a game, his room being the furthest away, on the 3rd floor, not sure the occupants of that room appreciated it. The faces of everyone when their luggage never arrives on trips (I only take hand luggage).

Date of birth: 11/5/1969

Referee since: 1994 (second time around)

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2000

Date promoted to Category 1: 2005

What influenced you to become a referee?
Certainly not my father or my brother (both of whom are currently banned for life from amateur football)! I was struck off the inheritance list when I became a referee.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
6th August 2005. A day to remember – I stepped out at Hampden Park for my first official appointment as a Grade 1 Referee (Queen’s Park v Stenhousemuir). What made it special was that I knew what it meant to my dad who was watching me from the stands (I am back on the inheritance list, given that I managed to follow my younger brother’s footsteps and perform at Hampden. Scott played, albeit miserably, in a Scottish Cup Amateur final with West Kilbride in 1998).

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Rangers Legends v AC Milan Glorie in 2012. Unique in so many ways, but particularly for the kiss and hug that John Gilmour (a particularly ugly specialist assistant referee) received from Andy Goram for correctly flagging offside a Milan attacker as he was about to score). If only more players were more thankful for the service we provide…

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
2004/05 Referee Scottish Junior Cup final - Tayport v Lochee United at Tannadice Park.
Although I always remember my first Auchinleck Talbot/Cumnock derby. I was fortunate enough to be trusted to referee seven of these matches.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
I’d settle for a Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.  Not fussed who was taking part, although it would be nice if it was Queen’s Park v Stenhousemuir (full circle from my first appointment as a Category 1 referee, before I am accused of bias!).

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
To be honest, none of them are a patch on myself when I was mainstay of the Pennyburn Primary school team in Kilwinning. I was a legend in my own mind.
If I have to give credit, then Baresi, Lentini, Papin, Maldini, Costacurta, van Bronkhurst, Laudrup and Albertz were not too bad.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
A steak pie doesn’t taste any better than it does in a dressing room at 4.45pm on a Saturday afternoon.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Several. It is important to have other reasons to avoid shopping on a Saturday, as I can’t rely on 52 weeks of football.  I orienteer with the St. Andrews orienteering club of Glasgowand I write books on cycling in Scotland. I look forward to completing the Munros and an Ironman when I retire.   When I was younger, I represented Scotland at fell running.

I’m also married to Gillian and have three wonderful kids to keep me going – Lauren (23), Corrie (18) and Morven (3).

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
We all look the same on match days!  A few years ago, we agreed to kit ourselves out in Slaters suits. You only really get to know how badly referees dress when we attending dinner dances.  The specialist assistant referees in my own Association are not renowned for their sartorial elegance. Andrew McWilliam adorns the best of gear... but is three sizes away from a good fit. Ross Haswell looks absolutely hideous in everything he wears.  And Francis Andrews is known to wear one brown brogue and one black brogue when representing Scotland on FIFA appointments.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
To be honest, I don’t pay attention to people getting dressed in changing rooms.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
This is really difficult; there are so many candidates. The guys from the Glasgow Referee Association struggle to speak in sentences; everyone north of Stirling and south of Motherwell speaks a different language; nobody ever listens to the boys from Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire; and those from Edinburgh and Fife just keep rabbiting on about how chips are better with sauce not vinegar – weird.
The only guys worth listening to come from Ayrshire.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
To set the scene. Craigmark Burtonians has ended the match with seven players, with four players sent off in the aftermath of one of their players being punched from an opponent from Irvine Victoria in an off-the-ball incident.  It becomes clear to me what has happened, but I was following play and didn’t see a thing, so there’s nothing I can do. The offending player was quickly substituted, but it all went Pete Tong for the remainder of the match.
I’m leaving the park at the end of Scottish Junior FA match at Dalmellington in Ayrshire. 
There is a wall of noise as both teams leave the park and then it all goes quiet, which allows me to overhear a conversation between two Burtonians’ supporters, says one to the other, “I don’t know how the referee missed it, it was right behind his back”.
Priceless!

Date of birth: 9th January 1982

Referee since: 1997

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: 2005

Date promoted to Category 1: 2009

What influenced you to become a referee?
My cousin Steven Nicholls was a referee and suggested I give it a try. It was a chance for me to keep fit, be involved in football and earn some money while still at school. I enjoyed it from day one and haven’t looked back.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Montrose v Elgin, a 1-1 draw.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
My first SPL match between Dundee United and Dunfermline Athletic.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Becoming a FIFA referee. Being told I had been nominated was the best moment of my career and wearing the badge for the first time is something I will never forget.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
It wouldn’t get any better than the Old Firm match at Hampden. It is a fantastic rivalry and refereeing with a full house at the national stadium would be an amazing experience.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
I was fourth official when Manchester City played Rangers at Ibrox just after they started to splash out on the big signings. Robinho and Adebayor played up front. The two players that really stand out for me domestically are David Templeton and Gary Mackay-Steven. Their pace and ball control are a joy to watch and you really get an appreciation of how quick and skilful they are when you are on the pitch with them.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in football at such a high level is fantastic. But also the level of camaraderie between the guys - supporting fellow referees and getting that level of support back is very rewarding.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Between refereeing and work, I don’t have a lot of time left for anything else! When I am not spending time with my family and friends I enjoy going to the gym and playing any kind of sport, mainly snooker, golf or tennis. Also spend a fair bit of time on the X-Box even though I am getting a bit old for it.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Going to have to go for Andy Dallas on this one. In his own mind he is a fashion icon but has some of the worst gear I have ever seen, including a shocking jumper that he should have left behind in La Manga this year and a red/white stripped t-shirt that makes me think of ‘Where’s Wally?’. It would also help if he bought a large instead of squeezing into a medium.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Think this has to be John McKendrick. I shared a room with him at one of the winter training camps and discovered that he has a different time zone to the rest of us. He was fourth official at my first SPL match and I had to tell him an earlier meeting time to make sure he was there to meet us on time.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
I don’t think anyone has banter bad enough that it deserves a mention but Brian Winter is the guy you have to watch out for. He is hilarious but you need to be on your guard. He has about five or six stories that he tells and I don’t think anything of us actually know what ones are true and what he’s made up. A real character and the life and soul of our training days and summer/winter camps.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
This involves one of our top specialist assistants. I won’t reveal his identity but he is a FIFA Official and his second name is Chambers. We were on a match at East Fife a couple of years ago and when we arrived at the ground there was an Irn Bru sponsored event. He decided to have a go at hitting a shot into the net that measures the speed. After a bit of a sclaff first time round, he asked for another shot, angrily put down his bag and ran up at full speed for another go. He slipped and flew through the air in his referee suit, falling to the ground in a heap. I think me and the other the assistant were still laughing at kick off time, mainly due to the fact that he also fell in the changing room after tripping over the bin. It was my first match in the second division and was actually the perfect preparation as I didn’t have a chance to be nervous. Cheers Graham!

Date of birth: 23rd November 1983

Referee since: November 2000

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees: June 2005

Date promoted to Category 1: June 2009

What influenced you to become a referee?
I went to the referee classes just to learn more about the Laws of the Game. I started to referee a couple of matches in the Glasgow schools’ league, and it just developed from there.

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
Stranraer v Montrose on 29 August 2009.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
Besancon v PSG in the French League (March 2011).  It was my first appointment as part of UEFA’s CORE programme, and the first time I had refereed a league match in a foreign competition.  The atmosphere generated by home and away supporters was fantastic.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Being promoted onto the international list of FIFA referees in January 2012, and then receiving my first UEFA appointment as a FIFA referee.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
Probably any of the Manchester United reserve players I refereed a number of seasons ago who have now gone on to be Premiership regulars and compete at European and International level.  Danny Welbeck, for example.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
Being involved in football, and having the opportunity to referee at a level I would not have reached as a player.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
Golf.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
Charlie Smith.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Matt Northcroft.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Gary Hilland. 

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
Turning to look at my assistant during the second half of a match, only to see him holding his flag in two pieces, one in each hand, having managed to break the flag.  Even the players had to laugh.

Date of birth: 22nd May 1974

Referee since:  March 1998

Date admitted to Scottish FA list of Referees:  May 2002

Date promoted to Category 1: May 2008

What influenced you to become a referee?
I was always a football enthusiast and spent most of childhood watching and playing the game and began to notice the refs as well as players. While didn’t always agree with their decisions, I did respect the job they did and actually got annoyed with fellow players or supporters who blamed good refs for the team’s bad performance. At the age of 25 my own poor performances convinced me it was time to hang up the boots and pick up the whistle…

What was your first appointment as a Category 1 referee?
The first Scottish league game I refereed was Montrose v Annan Athletic in August 2008.

What has been your most memorable match as a referee so far?
There have been a few challenging matches that stick in the mind as good tests of character and ability. Most refs never forget cup finals or ‘firsts’ and I’m no different. I refereed a League of Wales game a couple of years ago and I guess that sticks in my mind because it was a totally different experience to travel out on my own and represent both myself and my colleagues at home - it was a great game (and weekend! A twice abandoned Clyde v Livingston match also springs to mind as it was so freakish and unusual.

What is your biggest refereeing achievement to date?
Maintaining my position as a Category 1 and continuing to develop.  I’ve twice refereed the Highland League Cup final which is a notable thing to the guys in the north. I’ve represented my country in the Europa League as fourth official, in an exchange scheme with the League of Wales and have refereed Scotland v England in the under-18 Centenary Shield final, which Scotland won that year.

If you could referee a match between any two teams and at any venue, which teams and where?
I think that the World Cup final would have to be it. I don’t know who the teams would be but at that moment in time they would be the best teams in the world and I’d be the best ref (or the luckiest!). Somewhere like the Nou Camp would do. If I had a time machine and could hand pick the players then that would be even better.

Who is the best player you have been on the pitch with?
I’ll never forget a surreal experience that happened in my first few weeks as a young referee. I was checking boots when I realised that one pair of legs looked a bit more athletic. I looked up and to my surprise Doug Rougvie, the former Aberdeen, Chelsea and Scotland full back had decided to help out his local amateur team for the day! He might not be the very best I’ve ever encountered. To share the field with a European Super Cup winner that early in my career was a real  thrill.

What is the best thing about being a referee?
I like it when there is variety - different places to go, different teams and different people to work with. It lets you get right inside the game at all levels. It keeps you fit and challenges and develops you as a person. There’s always something to look forward to.

Do you have any hobbies outside of refereeing?
I used to play in indie bands but with football and family there’s no time for anything other than listening to music just now. I do a fair bit of cycling and spend time socialising with pals.

Who is the worst dressed referee you know?
We all tend to look the same on matchdays - although there are one or two quality tank-top wearers out there.

Which referee takes the longest to get ready?
Nobody could ever beat ex-Category 1 Scott MacDonald. His personal pre-match preparation could easily top two hours.

Which referee has the worst banter? Any stories?
Don’t know about worst but some of Brian Winter’s banter and stories can keep me laughing for hours.

What is your funniest moment as a referee?
There have been many laughs on and off the park - I’m not sure I can nail it down to one moment. I did encounter a very skilful dog once that not only got onto the pitch but managed to dribble the ball a good distance chased by two or three players. Another time a wee kid toddled onto the pitch during a Peterhead v Rangers XI friendly. I stopped the game while a steward gently coaxed the wee fella off the park. There were about 1100 folk there and we all assumed he’d just lost his dad. When I checked at half time, however, he was still there being looked after by a committee member. It turned out that, despite being no older than about 6, he’d somehow managed to sneak into the ground himself. He was the only one who seemed unfazed too!