Keighley referee Wayne Butterworth has become one of the youngest officials in West Yorkshire to be appointed for a county cup final.

The 20-year-old will take on the full duties of fourth official for next month's West Riding County Minor Cup final, to be held at the county's Fleet Lane, Woodlesford headquarters on either May 8 or 11.

The match will feature the winners of the Harrogate v Halifax FA semi-final against whoever comes out on top in the Leeds v Wakefield tie.

Wayne, who lives in Wheathead Crescent, could be destined to make it right to the top as a referee after being selected as one of ten members of the West Riding FA's School of Excellence.

"We meet up once every two months for a seminar on fitness and training and a top referee gives us a talk on different aspects of refereeing," explained Wayne. "I am in my second season with the School, but you are being constantly assessed and if you are not up to the fitness standard required you can be removed from the course.

"I have taken control of some earlier round games in the county cup competitions, but this is my first major final."

One of his mentors is Nationwide League referee Roger Furnandiz, from Doncaster, who has been appointed for this season's County Cup final between Farsley Celtic and Harrogate Town next Wednesday.

Wayne is currently studying for a degree at York's St John University and is aiming to go on to Edgehill University to gain his qualifications to become a PE teacher.

His appointment is not the only feather in the cap of Keighley and District Referees' Association. Dave Etherington has been named as one of the assistant referees at the Junior Cup final on Friday, April 19 and Simon Todd will also run the line at the Junior Shield final on Sunday, April 28.