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.
He was subsequently encouraged to take up officiating at the age of sixteen. He made swift advancement, reaching the Welsh League and in 1964 became a Football League linesman. Two years later, at thirty, he became a Football League referee, one of the youngest referees at that time.