Veteran referee Alan Longford is hanging up his whistle after reaching a major milestone.

When Eynsham resident Longford, 62, officiated the final of the Oxfordshire Senior League’s Ben Turner Cup on Monday, in which Kidlington Old Boys beat Charlton 1-0, it marked his 1,000th refereeing appearance.

His outstanding 25-year service was officially recognised by the Oxfordshire Senior League after the match.

The Oxfordshire FA also marked the occasion after Longford took charge of the John Fathers Junior Shield semi-final between Hailey and Blackbird Rovers last week.

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“I’m deeply honoured both the Oxfordshire Senior League and Oxfordshire FA want to recognise me in that way,” said Longford.

“I feel tremendously privileged that I’ve been able to do this for so long.

“I have lots of fond memories, not just of big games, but hopefully of being seen as a guy who’s reasonably good at it.”

Having qualified as a referee in 1990, Longford has taken charge of matches at Oxford United’s Manor Ground and Kassam Stadium, as well as at other Football League grounds including Gillingham, Leyton Orient and Barnet.

Despite devoting his earlier sporting focus elsewhere, Longford has taken his role in football seriously – even family loyalties haven’t stood in his way.

He said: “I played rugby at county level in my youth, but my two boys both played football and I officiated a few of their games.

“I enjoyed it and decided to carry on with it and now here I am all these years later.

“I’ve actually cautioned both of my sons in games I’ve refereed, which didn’t go down especially well.

“But if they didn’t do anything wrong I wouldn’t have had any need to caution them.

“Considering I was a rugby player first, I don’t think I’ve done too badly as a football referee.”