FOOTBALL: Allison's whistle happy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

FOOTBALL: Allison's whistle happy

11:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport

WILTSHIRE referee Sam Allison has been rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the business and says that he’s excited to see just how far his officiating career will take him.

The 32-year-old former Chippenham Town player, who has featured for Frome Town this season, picked up top tips from former Premier League referees Mike Dunn and Dermot Gallagher at the famous St George’s Park complex last month.

Allison has been involved in promoting the first-ever FA Carlsberg referee awards, which also saw him meet top official Howard Webb. Last weekend he was assessed in his final marked game in the Chippenham and District Sunday League as he bids to earn promotion to Level Four on the refereeing scale.

He said: “It’s been amazing to get involved in things like the referee awards and meet legends like Dermot Gallagher and Howard Webb. Whenever you meet them they have no problem giving you tips and helping you out.”

Allison, who began his refereeing career in 2011, works as a firefighter in Trow-bridge.

“I’ve been up to Wembley and to St George’s Park and there are all great things to get the chance to do,” he said.

“I’ve got a brilliant coach in George McCaffrey (former Chippenham Town secretary) and I’m also in the regional development group. I’m level five at the moment, which means that I referee in the Wiltshire League and can be on the line at Western League level. But hopefully I can get up to the next level.

“If I do, I’ll be qualified to referee at Western League level but I could also run the line in the Southern League.

“I can’t imagine what it’d be like going back to Hardenhuish Park or Frome and not as a player. I don’t really have any specific goals about how far I’d like to go or what level I’m aiming for but I’m enjoying it and I just want to see how far my ability will take me.”