England’s World Cup referee Howard Webb presents Bristol Manor Farm captain Jordan Metters with the Toolstation Cup after their 1-0 win over Knaresborough Town
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Words and pictures by James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)
The referee of the 2010 World Cup Final has said that the Toolstation Northern Counties East League helped him reach that career milestone.
Howard Webb, now president of the NCEL, was speaking prior to the Toolstation Final between Knaresborough Town and Western League side Bristol Manor Farm.
Webb spent the mid-1990s officiating in the NCEL and believes that spell was massively important to his future career development.
“I made it onto the NCEL as an assistant referee in 1993 and then did two years doing that before in 1995 becoming a referee in the league,” Webb told Non League Yorkshire.
“After one really successful season in the league I was promoted to be an assistant referee in the Football League.
“That (refereeing in the NCEL) was really crucial at the time for me as it was my springboard into the Football League.
“Without the NCEL then I wouldn’t have made it to the level I’m at now.
“I have lots to be grateful for to the league.
“The coaching and development we got from the league was really vital and that work continues now and I see it now.
“The officials that work on the NCEL at the moment benefit from their experiences in the league going forward (in the their careers).”
Webb was promoted to the Premier League in 2003 and was then FIFA listed two years later.
He might have moved onto refereeing teams like Manchester United and Chelsea, but Webb still remembers the clubs he dealt with in his early years as a referee.
He said: “It’s an evolving thing. A lot of the teams I refereed have gone into the Northern Premier League and we new clubs coming into our league all the time – Knaresborough being an example.
“There were so many good places. Teams who are now no longer connected to the league like Stocksbridge, North Ferriby and Hucknall which were great places to go to.
“There are still some long serving members like Glasshoughton, Tadcaster and Pontefract.
“My first ever NCEL game (as an assistant referee) was at Tadcaster in the grounds of the brewery and they’re great memories for me.
“To see them still going is fantastic.
“My first game as a referee was at Pontefract and I remember thinking ‘my goodness, this is daunting’.
“It was my real experience of doing Non League semi-professional football.
“It was a big step for me and it was one I managed to cope with and enjoyed.
“I had ups and downs in terms of my performance, better days than some.
“There was nowhere which was a bogey ground, but the slope at Liversedge was always a challenge.
“I’ll have to go back and have a look because that was always quite significant.”
World Cup referee Howard Webb with the match officials after the game
Webb, who recently officiated at the World Cup in Brazil, turned down the chance to take charge of the Toolstation Final at the home of Staveley Miners Welfare.
He watched the game, signed autographs and posed for photos with fans during the match.
He did also help hand out to the medals to the winners Bristol and runners-up Knaresborough alongside Toolstation commercial director Neil Carroll.
Webb did also admit that it was a big day for the NCEL.
“I’m here in my capacity as President of the NCEL – a position I’ve held for three years and one I’m very proud to hold as an ex servant of the league,” he added.
“Its a place where a lot of my development as a referee took place.
“I was actually offered the opportunity to referee the game. It was tempting, but I’ve just come back from Brazil so I needed a bit of rest period so I declined.
“I’m happy to be here as a guest and spectator and someone proud to be associated with the league and today’s event.
“Sponsorship is massive to the league and without the support of companies like Toolstation, the league would struggle to survive because it costs money to run the league.
“The sponsorship that Toolstation give us is a massive bonus and they’re clearly enthusiastic and active sponsors of the league.
“Today’s event shows that.”
The cup final was organised by Toolstation and was designed to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboats Institution and Asthma UK.
150 people showed their support for the day.
Look out for the report, reaction and photos tomorrow morning on the site.