FORMER top referee Philip Cole has been appointing to a senior post with the Association of Premier League and Football League Match Officials.

Philip, from Riddlesden, was a referee for over 30 years and was a top level linesman for three years. He was also a referee at the top of the semi-professional game and is now a referee's assessor in the Unibond League - formerly the Northern Premier League.

He was one of the first to send off Paul Cascoigne, when former England star was a teenage prodigy at Newcastle.

"At the time I was running the line in the old First Division and Cascoigne stepped out of line. Fortunately the manager saw it as well," he said.

His new role is treasurer of the Match Officials Association and he will have to look after the finances of the organisation and help organise the Association's annual conference which is attended by top players and managers.

He worked for Bradford and Bingley Building Society until retiring at 51 years of age. He was manager of Keighley Golf Club it June this year and is also a volunteer driver with the West Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

He started out as a referee in the Keighley Sunday League and progressed to the West Yorkshire County Amateur and Central leagues before reaching the Football League where he regularly officiated A team games.

"I got to see all the top stars when they were on their way to the senior sides -- and when they were on their way back down," he said.

He has also maintained a keen interest in local football, starting out as an official when he uncle, Harry Beadle, was secretary of Keighley Football Association.

"Now I'm looking forward to being involved with the administration side of the game," he said.

n A course for anyone wanting to start out on the road to the top as a referee is to be held at the Albert Hotel, keighley on Tuesday, October 3, starting at 7pm.

Full details are available from Kevin Trowers on 01535-216154 or 07771-625801 or Steve Shorton on 01535-609278..