West Riding County Amateur League stalwart Philip Rhodes is celebrating his 50th year in football.

Rhodes began his involvement in the sport back in August 1963, when he served with distinction as a referee for 30 years. He spent time in the old Yorkshire League, the North East Counties League and the Craven League, to name but a few.

His son Christopher revealed: “He was old school. He didn’t take anything from the players and if they’d tried to dive around like they do now, he wouldn’t be having any of it.

“But all the clubs he has been involved with have huge respect for him and the way he handles himself. He’s still a real character in and around the leagues.

“He was a well-renowned referee back in the day and he certainly could have made that step up to the Football League if he was given the chance.

“He had the qualifications to do it but there was only a select few chosen from each area.

“Away from it all though, he’s a big family man and he’s great with his grandchildren nowadays – if he can switch off from the football, that is.”

Rhodes finally retired his whistle after three decades of being the man in the middle, But he stayed on with the County Amateur League, with his involvement since leading to him becoming one of the T&A’s amateur soccer correspondents, providing weekly match reviews in his role as publicity secretary.

But his legacy on the field lives on and Christopher explained: “Me and my brother used to watch him when I was a kid back when he was at the height of his powers. We have since both become refs.

“He certainly inspired us both but I wouldn’t say that we followed in his footsteps. We have different styles to our dad because we like to see the game flow, whereas he always clamped down on the nonsense.

“If it wasn’t for him, we both probably wouldn’t have gone into it though, so it is testament to Dad that we’re involved.”