Saddlers' Andy Butler joins referees

Walsall captain Andy Butler has taken his first steps to becoming a fully qualified official.

Walsall captain Andy Butler has taken his first steps to becoming a fully qualified official.

The 27-year-old was welcomed by Wolverhampton and District Referees' Assocation appointments officer Phil Reade, after picking up his Level 7 certificate last night.

Butler needs to move up four more to officiate in the Football League.

He said: "I love the game and want to stay in it after I've finished playing.

"But the number of coaches and players who want to go into coaching make that very difficult as a career. Refereeing has always appealed."

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