He did carry on at Premier level for the next season, after which he was stepped down to the Football League as from the 2001–02 campaign. This coincided with his moving from Oxford to the Isle of Wight, making him the first League referee ever from this location.¶ (James Linnington a current Football League referee is from the Isle of Wight) He only remained on the Football League for this one season, before he was then stepped down again for the 2002–03 season to Football Conference Level where he continue to referee until November 2005 when he retired to become a FA Assessor.