Darren England says he is happy to be remembered as the linesman who tripped on the Wembley steps while collecting his FA Cup final medal rather than for making a mistake in the biggest match of his life.
The 29-year-old from Little Houghton – who has worked his way up from amateur football in Barnsley – ran the line in the world famous final as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 4-0 on Saturday. Former Oakwell academy coach England lost his balance while climbing the steps at the national stadium.
"It was a little bit embarrassing and I have been getting some banter about it," said England, who will give up running the line from next season and become a referee.
"It was mentioned on the television commentary as well. But, if that is my only mistake of the day, then I am very happy."
England ruled out a goal by Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez for offside at 2-0 then judged that Olivier Giroud's fourth was onside and believes both decisions were correct.
He said: "Those calls were very narrow, more than I realised at the time, but I was always confident I had got them right and the replays prove that. As a team of officials, we just wanted to get through the game without anyone talking about us and I think we did that. It was a job well done. It was a very special occasion and I will never forget it."
England stayed in London on Saturday night and travelled back to his home in Broomhill, Wombwell, on Sunday morning to spend the day with his wife and baby daughter.
On Monday, he went back to his job of organising the National Citizenship Scheme for the Football League Trust. Today he will undergo an assessment to become a Football League referee which he is expected to pass so he can start officiating games from League Two to the Championship next year with the aim of returning to the top level in his new role.
England – who has officiated in the UEFA Cup, Champions League and UEFA Super Cup – will run the line for what is expected to be the final time at an international match between Norway and Sweden next week.
