REFEREEING could be an alternative route to the Premier League for young footballers in the district.

That's the message from the Hexham Association of Referees, which is working to address a shortage of officials in local football.

And the association's chairman David Tiffin has insisted there is a golden opportunity for young referees to progress through the ranks to the very top of the game.

He said: "If you want to be the next Howard Webb or Michael Oliver, you've got to start ideally as a teenager, so you've got the time to work your way up.

"The local football scene would greatly benefit from more referees, but once they get started, there are no limits as to what can be achieved or where they can end up."

Mr Tiffin was speaking at a meeting of the association, at the County Hotel in Hexham, on Tuesday.

The association was revamped under a new management team last year. It now has 17 members, but Mr Tiffin believes those numbers could be more than doubled.

He added: "It's natural that young lads, even those with an interest in officiating, will choose to play football when the weekend comes around, instead of refereeing.

"It's often said that you should play as long as you can, and enjoy it, and then take up refereeing afterwards.

"But if you want to be the next Howard Webb or Michael Oliver, you've got to start young, and that could be a wonderful opportunity."

Mr Tiffin acknowledged that verbal abuse from players and spectators can be an off-putting factor when it comes to referee recruitment.

But he said the referees association aimed to become the "strongest in Northumberland", providing a platform for referees to support each other and develop their skills.

At Tuesday's meeting, young referee David Mitchell (17), who is also the coach of Hexham's U7s and U10s teams, said he often had to officiate at his team's matches due to a shortage of referees.

David McMillan, a referee who coaches Stocksfield's U10 team, said local football clubs were being encouraged to help referees get a foothold in the game.

He explained: "Clubs can make a financial contribution to help get young referees through an approved FA course, and in return, the referee officiates a few matches for them free of charge."

The Hexham association is set to host regular meetings, aimed at inspiring its members and other football followers about the ever-changing laws of the game.

Tuesday night's meeting included a six question quiz, based on game situations including throw-ins, goal kicks, and unusual incidents which referees have to manage.

Members also discussed issues such as safeguarding, and were treated to some video analysis from Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.