Football: Pollard warns - referee crisis is imminent.

The proudest moment of Trevor Pollard's football career was playing his part in the 1999 Worthington League Cup final staged at Wembley, in front of more than 77,000 fans.

The Stanton-based official ran the line when Tottenham Hotspur defeated Leicester City 1-0, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Robbie Savage, Sol Campbell and Les Ferdinand.

It was the highlight of his 22 years' service in the game (writes Sam Parker).

To repay the game that has brought him so much pleasure the 50-year-old, now retired as a full-time official, is on a quest to usher in a new generation of referees.

While interest in top flight action at national level …