Paul Miles loves refereeing football matches. In fact, he likes the job so much that on the odd occasion he has refereed as many as six games in a weekend. No wonder his wife Louise says she never sees him on some weekends!

Paul’s love of all things football – and particularly refereeing – started some 11 or so years ago and as can often be the case, his involvement was sparked by a son or a daughter.

In Paul’s case it was his daughter Beth who got him interested in the beautiful game.

Prior to that Paul, who was born in Tuffley some 53 years ago, was more of a cricket man, having played for Upton St Leonards when he was younger.

He’s lived in the Forest of Dean for the past 26 years and explained: “My daughter said she wanted to play football when she was about 12 or 13 so I took her to Mitcheldean Youth.

“She was in the under-12s and was coached by Rob Coopey. I used to take her there every week and she enjoyed it.”

Pretty soon, Dad was involved as well.

“Rob asked if I’d help out,” said Paul.

Of course Paul said ‘yes’ and that was just the start, even though Paul hadn’t played any football since his time at school.

“I did my Level 1 coaching exam,” he added, “and then the club asked if anyone was interested in taking a referees’ course.

“A lot of the girls’ games didn’t have referees so again I said ‘yes’. I volunteered with four others but I’m the only one who carried on doing it.”

These days Beth, now 23, doesn’t have time to play football but it’s fair to say that a lot of her dad’s spare time over the past few years has been taken up by the great game that is football.

“I started doing some refereeing for Worrall Hill,” he explained. “I did a lot of friendlies and then they asked me if I wanted to become their club secretary.”

Of course he said ‘yes’ although he was only able to do it for a couple of years before his work commitments dictated that he needed to relinquish the role.

But his work didn’t stop him refereeing and these days he officiates in the Northern Senior League, Gloucestershire Northern League, Gloucestershire Veterans’ League, the Severn Valley Youth League and the County Women’s League.

He also runs the line in men’s County League matches so is clearly a very busy man.

“I do enjoying refereeing very much,” he said. “I just like getting out there, meeting people, meeting the players and officials.”

These days he’s a Level 5 referee – “I try to let the game flow if I can,” he said – and is happy refereeing at that standard.

And one thing is for sure, he has no plans to pack it in any time soon.

“I want to continue refereeing as long as I can,” he said. “There was one referee I know, Thomas Boore, who carried on into his 80s!”