DOVER Grammar School boy James Hutchison is believed to have become the youngest referee in Britain after qualifying at the age of 13.

STARTING YOUNG:

James Hutchingson is following

in his father's and

David Ellery's footsteps.

James, who lives in Goschen Road, Dover, could be following in the footsteps of top premiership referee David Elleray, who first became a referee while he was a pupil at the school.

In fact James's father Graham, who is also a referee, was a young pupil at the school when David was in the sixth form. "One thing I have in common with Eric Cantona is that we have both been awarded penalties by David Elleray," said Mr Hutchison.

James first became interested in football when he was just two years old and he had his first football kit. Although he played football for the school team at St Martin's Primary School as wing half or goalkeeper a couple times, he is not really a keen soccer player.

"I am more interested in I watching and refereeing," said James who went to watch his Dad refereeing games and ended up as a linesman for some of the matches.

In October, James began an 11-week Football Association course, organised by the local branch of the Kent Referees Association, and took written and oral tests.

"During the course I learnt about the FA laws, as well as regulations concerning the ball, the dugouts and the powers and duties of the referee and all the other laws," said James.

"On the night of the exam I felt very nervous but I finished the written test and when I was called back in to do the oral exam I learnt that I had scored 76 per cent on the written exam.

The reason it is believed James is the youngest in Britain is because youngsters usually have to be 14 years old before they can take the exams, and James won't be 14 until May.

At the moment he can referee Under-11s matches, but when he is 14 he will be allowed to referee Under-14s games.

The first game he took control of was an Under-11s match between River Colts and Folkestone Invicta at The Danes.

"I felt very nervous but as soon as I blew the whistle to start the game I felt a lot better and calmer. Both teams played very well." The score was 4- to1 River Colts.

On Sunday, he refereed his second match, another Under 11s match at The Danes between River Colts and Whitstable which ended in a 2-2 draw.

James will be able to progress through the referee grades as he gains more experience and is assessed by FA officials.

Graham Hutchison, who was at the grammar school from 1971-78, played for all the year teams, captained the 2nd XI and played for the 1st XI.

Mr Hutchison has now been referee for five years, taking charge of a wide variety of games from Dover Sunday League to FA Trophy and County premier league matches.

"Since the age of about nine or 10 James has been watching me refereeing and he wanted to use the flag as quickly as possible," he said.

"Some of the teams have been only too pleased to let him run the line and that's how he ha gained his experience."

James is presently classified as a Class Three Boys referee and when he is 16 he will become a normal Class Three. He can then progress to Class Two and Class One.