Phil Sharp ran the line at the 2002 World Cup Final and has taken charge of an FA Cup Final - now young referees in Hertfordshire can tap into his vast experience.

Having started refereeing in Hertfordshire, Phil has gone full-circle by returning to his county as a Referee Development Officer.

Since first tooting on his whistle in 1980, Phil has gone right to the top of the game.

He is still an active referee himself having started in the Hertfordshire County League and is currently a Premier League assistant. He is also on the FIFA List of International Assistant Referees and has been since 1997.

He assisted in The FA Cup Final in 1999 between Manchester United and Newcastle United then five years later at the Olympic Football Final in Athens.

Possibly his greatest achievement was assisting Pierluigi Collina at the World Cup Final in Japan which saw Brazil defeat Germany.

Phil will join the team officially on Monday 21 April and be based at The County Ground in Letchworth with the responsibility of developing, recruiting and retaining referees for the local game to help The FA achieve their target of having a qualified official on every game.

He will be heavily involved in the planning and delivery of Hertfordshire FA's new Four Year Football Strategy that will achieve Hertfordshire's priorities for football as part of The FA's £200m National Game Strategy investment into the game to help improve and create football opportunities for the whole county.

You can contact Phil from Monday 21 April at the office on 01462 677622.

If you'd like to become a referee register your interest by clicking here and a local County FA Referee Development Officer will contact you.