Referee, 87, has no plans to hang up his whistle

Percy Parker has been a referee with Huntingdonshire FA for more than 50 years

A veteran referee says he has no plans to hand in his cards after more than half a century in grassroots football.

Percy Parker, 87, from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, has presided over countless matches since signing up with the Huntingdonshire Football Association in 1973.

He still officiates as a linesman - or assistant referee - at junior football matches most Saturdays and is showing no signs of slowing down.

"I can't give it up and I'm not going to give it up until they carry me away," he said.

Mr Parker pictured with his "football-mad" family on the 1970s

The father of four football-mad boys, Mr Parker was working as a driving instructor and was initially encouraged to try his hand at refereeing by his wife.

"I thought, well, if I'm going to go down there, I might as well learn the rules," he said.

He learned the art of refereeing with the help of some of his students, who were also referees.

"I just love it," he said.

"I'm only here for one reason, to enjoy the game and that's all I want to do."

Haani Rasool, manager of Eynesbury Rovers under-13s in St Neots, said the teams and parents appreciated Mr Parker's work

Haani Rasool, the manager of Eynesbury Rovers under-13s in St Neots, said Mr Parker was the oldest referee he was aware of - and considered him the best too, mentoring and inspiring the younger generation of referees and players.

"He explains every decision," he said.

"It's football - we always give them a little bit of stick because managers and referees are never the best of friends.

"It's always great to see an 87-year-old man coming out on a windy, stormy day to ref under-13s. The boys appreciate it as do the parents.

"He has so many stories."

Max Brindley, the manager of Bluntisham Blasters under-13s, who were at home to Eynesbury in the first round of the County Cup, said Mr Parker was "an absolute legend and role model".

"We try to be careful what we say in front of him but we do respect the referee - what Percy says goes as there's no VAR," he said.

"He's been there, he's done it, he's seen it, he's experienced it, he talks to the children - what an absolute legend for the game."

Bluntisham Blasters under-13s manager Max Brindley said Mr Parker was "a role model and legend"

Mr Parker said he had a secret weapon when it comes to abuse from the sidelines or from players on the pitch.

"I'm deaf so I can't hear it anyway," he said.

"You do get a bit of stick. Sometimes you get called a few rude names, but most of the time you ignore it.

"You're not going to go down to their level — it's not worth it."

Mr Parker is a familiar face in grassroots football in Cambridgeshire

He added that Huntingdonshire FA was particularly supportive of their referees and provided a fee to cover the cost of cleaning his kit and petrol.

"But you don't do it for the money — I do it because I love football," he said.

"It's simple enough and seeing the actual children, boys and girls, playing is a reward in itself.

"It's nice sometimes when you see some of the old people you used to referee coming along with their children and they still remember you."