SOUTH Yorkshire has a good tradition of producing top quality football match officials such as Steve Lodge, Arthur Holland and World Cup referee Howard Webb.
Many believe Darren England, from Broomhill, should also be included on that list.
Born of mining stock from Little Houghton, he played football for his local village team Houghton Main. He passed his first referee exam at 16 and began refereeing at 18.
In May this year he reached the pinnacle as an assistant referee when he ran the line at the FA Cup final.
Darren has also worked for the Barnsley FC Community Trust promoting the National Citizens Service for teenagers and has now moved on to do the same thing across the country for the Football League Trust.
He was nominated by MP Michael Dugher, who said: "It has often been said that a referee has had a good game if you don't notice him. However, I think it's about time Barnsley recognise the achievements of Darren England."
