REFEREE Roy Gobey has been commemorated by the Swindon and Wiltshire Referees Association after clocking up more than 50 years service.

Gobey first picked up the whistle in 1963 and was active all over the county, as well as in Swindon, for more than 30 years.

When he retired from active refereeing, Gobey moved into the clerical side, helping with the running the association, including going out to matches assessing referees on their performance.

He has also held every position in office within the society and has attended hundreds meetings over the years, representing the Swindon and Wiltshire RA not only locally, but also nationally at many conferences.

Due to ill health a couple of years ago, he unfortunately missed some meetings but is now well and back attending the RA meetings regularly again, still with the passion to try add something to the local society by drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience of the last 53 years.

Gobey was presented with his award by friend John Harvey, who travelled up from Somerset for the special night.