WHEN young Neil Howlett passed his referees exam on the course recently run by the Wharfedale FA he was carrying on a family tradition. Neil is the fourth generation of his family to step out with the whistle.

The 16 year-old sports NVQ student at Park Lane College is following in the footsteps not of his dad Chris but of his mum Ann, her father Cyril Luty and his father Walter before him. The two Luty's were Grade One referees while Ann refereed junior games before a knee injury ended her career.

Neil is a talented all round sportsman playing in central defence for Otley Town's open age third team as well as playing cricket for Pool Mills after a junior career with Yeadon CC.

Neil has already gained qualifications as a basketball coach, football coach and as a life saver and he is also doing a cricket coaching award course.

He eventually wants to work as a soccer coach in America.

Neil is pictured left prior to stepping out for his first official duty - as a linesman for the Guiseley Academy game against Emley last Thursday.

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