After nearly 3,000 games and career spanning some 47 seasons, Lol Cussons shows no sign of hanging up his boots.

At an age when most pensioners are donning their slippers in favour of the good life, York's longest serving referee can still be found every weekend, come rain or shine, revelling in arguably the world's toughest job.

Nearly 30 years ago, Cussons was taking centre stage when the kings of Europe, Manchester United, clashed with Newcastle United in front of 50,000 passionate Geordies at a packed St James' Park.

Yesterday, Cussons was patrolling pitch 19 on Knavesmire as Walnut Tree took on Middleton Celtic reserves in division five of the John Smith's Sunday League, following on from controlling the Heslington reserves v Heworth reserves match in Reserve C division of the Leeper Hare York and District League on Saturday.

But while the glamour may have dimmed, his love for the peoples' game burns as strong as ever.

"I go out to enjoy it and if I didn't I wouldn't do it," said Cussons. "I always aimed to get to 70 but I am in good nick, still enjoying it and I just want to give something back."

He donned his first black shirt aged just 24 after his work's team, Terry's, was forced to fold.

"The directors banned outside players from turning out and we couldn't raise a team," said Cussons. "I thought I'd have a go at refereeing and just really enjoyed it."

His climb up the non-league ladder proved a long haul.

He spent four seasons in the Yorkshire League and was on the North Regional League list for ten years in addition to being on the Football League line for six years.

In 1968, Cussons reached his pinnacle taking charge in the Football League.

His time at the top was only brief - it lasted just two seasons - but the highlight was no doubt the time he took charge of the match between the United giants in 1969.

It also marked Cussons' television debut - the match featured on Match of the Day.

The Red Devil's were European champions following their 4-1 mauling of Benfica at Wembley the season before and their ranks included the legendary names of Stiles, Crerand, Sadler, Kidd, Law and the mercurial George Best.

"It was a full house and was definitely the highlight of my career by far," said Cussons, who was paid the princely sum of ten guineas for his efforts.

"Best was indeed the best. Back then, I could motor a bit and liked to think I could keep up with players but even when he had the ball at his feet he was always in front of me. Best was just brilliant."

Best may have been a living legend, but even he could not escape Cussons' very own form of punishment - a mint in the mouth.

"If someone stepped out of line I'd reach for my pocket, pull out a mint and pop one in their mouth," explained Cussons.

"It was a sort of shock tactic and took the heat out of the situation. I offered a mint to George but he said he'd rather have a drink."

Cussons carries his trademark mints in his top pocket even today.

"I guess I am well known for it now. The first thing players ask now is 'have I got any mints?"

His fondness for sweets was certainly well known in football circles. "I was due to run the line at Sunderland once when my car broke down two miles outside the ground and I ended up running with my case to Roker Park.

"By the time I got there I was running like an Olympic sprinter. Everyone was queuing at the turnstiles and they must have realised who I was because I got a massive cheer.

"With me working at Terry's, I always used to get two boxes of best waste to give to the other officials.

"Anyway, by the time I got inside the ground the referee, Harold Hackney, from Barnsley, had already put a tannoy out for a linesman to come forward.

"I was out on my legs but he just turned to me and said 'Never mind about them, they can wait. Have you got our chocolate?' "

In the same year Cussons was ruling the roost of St James', he also took centre stage refereeing giants of a different kind.

Heworth Scouts were the beneficiaries as York City's 1955 FA Cup giant killers and a team of professional wrestlers clashed in a charity game.

The wrestlers' ranks were swollen by a string of household names - Jack Pallo, Vic Faulkner, Ted Heath, Mick McMichael and the exotically named man mountain Masambula.

"Masambula picked me up and carried me down the pitch," chuckled Cussons. "It was all good natured jollification."

Such good natured fun seems a million miles away from today's heavily paid, all swearing, all spitting, all pushing soccer superstars.

"There was more sportsmanship in those days without a doubt," said Cussons, who never issued a red card in his two years in the top flight.

"There was no yellow cards back then and so you could have a quick word and get a response. Often It was all that was needed.

"The rules are there and one has got to interpret them but I cannot apportion any blame to referees when, in general terms, the behaviour of players has deteriorated."

After mixing with the very best, Cussons took a short break from refereeing.

"I actually retired, but it was only for a few weeks because I missed it so much.

"And I still love it. Fortunately, I have been blessed with good health and I have never been under any pressure on the local scene."

But today's media-led, money-mad football merry go round often leaves him aghast.

"I feel strongly about the change in rules allowing teams to make three substitutes.

"I'm in favour of teams making substitutions for injury or tactics but what is becoming increasingly apparent is a player is getting booked and if they are in danger of being sent-off they are putting someone else on.

"What I would like to see happen is if someone gets a card then the number of subs a team can use is reduced to two automatically. You need something to put a break on unruly behaviour.

"Football is a sport and I still put it in that category but there is scant encouragement for referees to come through at the moment."

Nor would Cussons like to see the introduction of television replays to help out the men in black.

He said: "Mistakes are all part and parcel of the game and if no one made a mistake there would never been any goals. "The rules are the same for everyone, whether you're playing for South Bank reserves or Arsenal.

"And when it comes down to the local scene, I still find I get respect because I have a bit of form but I would like to see players have a bit more of a reasonable approach to other referees."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.