JASON JARRETT was all set to become a role model for a new generation of referees.
Here was a smart, articulate official, one who had served his apprenticeship amid the dog muck and park life in the amateur ranks of the north west.
It is only two years ago that Jarrett finally hung up his playing boots after a varied and journeyman career.
And yet he had quickly moved up the various divisions at Sunday league level, earning the respect of many players and managers.
Understandably he had dreams of one day refereeing in the Football League. Perhaps even making it all the way to the Premier League.
And given that not a single one of the current refereeing fraternity has played the game to any considerable standard, Jarrett would have really broken the mould.
Yet the midfielder, whose vast array of former clubs includes Bury, Wigan, Preston, Brighton, Leicester, Oldham and Norwich, has had enough. Last autumn he unexpectedly decided to blow time on his refereeing career.
FA rules dictate that match officials are not allowed to take control of games involving their ex-clubs.
Jarrett only recently discovered this – and the problem is he played for 18 CLUBS over two decades.
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Jarrett said: “There are a couple of rules in place which make it very difficult for an ex player to become a referee.
“I played for many different teams, four currently in the Premier League, and one rule states you can’t referee a team you have ever played for.
“Come a Saturday, how difficult would that be? It was frustrating. I found out after four years of doing it. I wish somebody had told me beforehand!
“I loved my time being a referee but if you start refereeing at the bottom it can take 10 years minimum to get to the top, doing everything perfectly along the way.
“That is a long time especially when you finish playing football at 35.
“Realistically, are footballers going to do that? I am not saying they should skip huge steps but they have to be appreciated for what they can bring to the game.
“Not saying we couldn't learn from referees, too, but at the moment I think footballers are disillusioned with it.
“As soon as you step over that white line, you don’t care. If you are biased, then as a referee somebody would notice. There is no hiding place. I have explained that. But their rules are the way they are.”
It was only after filming finished for a new BT Sport series about referees that he realised the pathway would be closed.
The prospect of earning £32-pound a game, while working as a therapist during the week, had finally lost its appeal.
The last player of any note to referee was the ex-Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and Chesterfield defender Steve Baines.
But unless things change, the prospect of an ex-pro making it as a referee has disappeared.
He said: “I spoke with the PFA and Gordon Taylor and they were disappointed but understood. I thought long and hard about it.
“Will I reconsider? Not unless the rules change.
“I am not asking them to change the rules solely for me.
“But as it stands, it does make it nearly impossible for an ex-pro – because you cannot referee teams you played for.
“For any player, it is appealing to ref in the Premier League or Champions League.
“I do believe there is a place for them. It’s not easy. There are ex-players out there who could do a good job and help to improve the game as well.
“But we have to ask ourselves why, in 120 years or so, we have not had an ex pros as top referees?”
Watch “Ref: Stories from the Weekend” exclusively on BT Sport 1 (10.30pm), Tuesday April 4
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