A FOOTBALLER ordered to complete a refereeing course as punishment for a foul-mouthed tirade has become one of the top officials in the country.

The official saw the error of his ways after he was sent off in a youth match six years ago for swearing at the man in the middle.

As a result he was asked to complete the six-week refereeing course on Teesside.

Rather than kick the opportunity into touch, the 20-year-old took full advantage of his penalty and, from a pool of 30,000 officials, has gone on to become one of the top in his field.

Full story and picture in tomorrow's Northern Echo