A 73-YEAR-OLD spectator from Northwich came to the rescue of a non-league football match being able to conclude on Saturday afternoon.
One of the assistant referees picked up an injury during Witton Albion’s clash with promotion chasers Vauxhall Motors at the U Lock It Stadium in Wincham.
After Joe Edwards scored the opening goal midway through the first half, the match was delayed for more than 15 minutes.
The game was only able to resume after Graham Edgeley came forward from the crowd, volunteering to take on the assistant referee’s role for the remaining 72 minutes in heavy rain and cold conditions.
Fortunately for all involved, Edgeley is no stranger to match officialdom or those who run the Northern Premier League West club.
The former Witton Albion director and secretary disappeared to the changing rooms where he slipped into some borrowed kit and boots before rolling back the years as a flag waver.
Edgeley, also known for his administrative duties with local leagues over many years, qualified as a referee in his younger days and operated for a time as a Football League linesman.
On the back of some recent strong performances, Witton went on to once again show they can raise their game to better their division’s promotion chasers running out 3-1 victors.
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