A father and son have made history by being the first to officiate together a professional game of football.

Referee Clive Oliver, 43, and son Michael, 19, are thought to be the first father and son to take charge of a professional British game - in last night's Rotherham v Port Vale Carling Cup tie at Millmoor.

"It was a proud day for the family," the whistler said. Linesman Michael has already made history when last season, aged 19, he became the Football League's youngest official running the line at Wigan Athletic v Ipswich Town. League rules meant because Clive was also in his first year on the list, the two could not be paired but he insisted: "It was always a matter of time.

"As soon as this season came around I was looking to see when we'll be together.

"You don't work with people regularly but I'm sure we'll find ourselves together again at some stage."

Clive has been refereeing for 13 years and only decided to take it up after injuring his knee playing for Northern League Ashton and Morpeth.

His son, though, was destined to follow him.

"I was captain of East Northumberland and when I was 13 or 14 I was training and playing every day," he said.

"In the end I got sick of it and decided to take six months off.

"I intended to do some refereeing for pocket money and then go back to playing but I'm still waiting.

"It was probably my Dad's influence that got me into refereeing.

"Because he took it on and enjoyed it I was encouraged to do it."

Although the pair live together, they must travel to the game seperately.

"The theory is if my car breaks down and my Dad is in it as well there will be just two officials at the ground," Michael said.

"We've been together before - in the Northern League about three or four years ago and for the odd friendly.

"I got a bit of attention last year and was l it would die down after a while.

"But I knew once I did a game with my Dad it would all start up again."