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Referee, 85, says he is Britain’s oldest and is not hanging up his whistle

BRITAIN’S oldest referee continues to hand out red and yellow cards — at 85.

Alfred Nassau even cautioned us after we told last month how Peter Phillimore was reffing at 81.

Alfred Nassau says he has refereed more than 2,000 matches
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Alfred Nassau says he has refereed more than 2,000 matchesCredit: NNP

He revealed he, in fact, holds the title as the oldest man in the middle.

Grandad Alfred told The Sun: “I’ve been a referee since 1983.

"I went on a course to keep a pal company and since then I’ve done 2,091 matches — and that doesn’t include the two friendlies I’ve done recently.

“I’ve kept a record of every single match and scoreline.

“During my career I’ve shown the red card 86 times and 134 yellows. I love every minute of it.

"There have been all sorts of matches — cup finals, the lot.”

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He insisted: “I won’t take any rubbish on the pitch.

“Before the start of each match, I warn both teams that they’ll be sent off for swearing.”

Alfred, from Middlesbrough, who has been married to wife Eileen for 60 years, goes to the gym twice a week.

And he has no intention of hanging up his whistle yet.

The ex-goalie referees in the North Riding County League.

He said: “I reached a point where I wasn’t happy handing out red and yellow cards to the same players week in, week out.

“My son suggested I referee youngsters so now I do teams from the under-8s to the under-15s.

“I really enjoy it. I’ll carry on as long as the legs last out and the mind is active.”

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