He was then persuaded to take up refereeing at the age of sixteen. He made rapid progress, reaching the Welsh League and in 1964 became a Football League linesman. Two years later aged only thirty he became a Football League referee, one of the youngest referees of the time.
At sixteen, he was convinced to take up refereeing and made rapid strides, reaching the Welsh League by 1964 and eventually becoming a Football League linesman. Two years later, at just thirty, he became a Football League referee, an accomplishment that stood out among his peers.