GRAVESEND’S John Newson has been appointed the Kent County Football Association’s first full-time referees’ development officer.

Mr Newson, who lives at Cervia Way, had been the KCFA’s referees’ officer since 2001. There were 11 applicants which were whittled down to a short-list of four.

A former chairman of the Gravesend branch of the Kent Referees’ Association, Mr Newson was told the job was his on Friday, December 21 and will start work on January 7.

He said: “I regard this as a great honour and I’m delighted to have got the job. Now I’m looking forward to the task of pushing Kent referees onwards and upwards.”