Not many Black Country teenagers can claim to have graced the turf of Wembley during a cup final but 16-year-old referee Craig Taylor will not be afraid of giving out a red card or two at the English Schools’ FA Cup Final tomorrow.
His father, Neil, says that the A-level student at Wednesbury’s Wood Green High School has handed out more of them to adults in the Sunday league than any other referee. “He’s very strict but he’s fair,” he said.
Neil, a sales rep, from Wednesbury, said: “He decided when he was 13 that he wanted to be a referee.
“I suppose it is a bit strange really, but it’s all he’s ever wanted to do.
“If he could referee a match every night he would, he’s always happy to do it.
“He doesn’t ever get nervous, it’s his age I suppose, but he’s completely fearless.
“My wife gets nervous for him, she can’t watch any of his matches.”
Craig was invited to referee the big cup final by officials from the Youth FA after they saw him on the pitch during his weekly adults’ Sunday league games.
The teenager described the moment he discovered he would get to fulfil every schoolboy’s dream.
“I just got an email asking if I was available on the Saturday,” he said.
“I said I was and asked why. When I saw the reply, I had to read it four or five times before it sank in. I’m really looking forward to it though and I just want to get started with the match now.
“It will be a bit different from the pitches I referee at in the Cannock Chase Sunday League.
“When you’re refereeing children of that age, the main problem is normally the abuse you get from parents at the side of the pitch, but they’ll be up in the stands this time, which should make it a bit easier.”
The youngster has got 12 of his friends and family making the trip down to the capital city on Saturday, but today he will face his first test when he takes charge of the semi-final in Watford.
He said he was keen to progress as far as possible as a referee, and would love to officiate in the Premier League one day.
On April 29 Craig will also be refereeing the testimonial for Walsall’s Darren Wrack at the Banks’s Stadium.
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