Former Premiership football referee Alan Wilkie has presented certificates to a group of inmates at Deerbolt Young Offenders' Institution, in Startforth, near Barnard Castle, after they completed a basic referees course, which is the first step to becoming a fully qualified referee.
The course instructor, Brian Reilly, said: "The course lasts four to six weeks and at the end of it they have to answer 54 questions on the 17 rules of the game.
"One lad, who said he did not even like football, managed to get 100 per cent."
Mr Wilkie, who is regional manager for referees at the Football Association, officiated at the match where Eric Cantona did his infamous kung fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.
The course run at Deerbolt was unique, because it also helped to teach the inmates numeracy and literacy skills, Mr Wilkie said.
He said: "At the FA we are trying to build a better future for people through the power of football. This is one sort of scheme that enhances people's life and learning skills."
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