FAMOUSLY as fit as a butcher’s dog, former World Cup referee George Courtney – coming up 73 – was still matching the young ’uns last Saturday.

Assisted by father and son Anthony and Lee Harbottle from Chester-le-Street, the retired headteacher took charge of the English Schools FA match between Durham and Worcestershire at Seaham Red Star.

“I tried to pass us off as three generations, with me the grandfather,” he says.

Durham won after extra-time.

“The game was wholly devoid of any kind of offensive language, any kind of reckless challenges and with a degree of humour,”says George. “Given the weather, the pitch was in superb condition, too.”

All that marred the occasion was that the visiting coach, inexplicably, appeared not to recognise the VIP referee, asking him if he had much experience of refereeing at that level.

“About 53 years,” said George.