MOST Premiership referees curse the television camera as their errors are highlighted on Match of the Day every weekend.

But, from now on, the York Referees' Association intend to film local matches in an effort to help, rather than hinder, the development of budding officials.

The association has received a £3,870 lottery grant from the Awards for All scheme after training officer David King put together a project designed to help in the recruitment and retention of referees.

As well as a video camera, a multi-media projector, lap-top and printers will be bought with the money which King believes will widen opportunities to attract new officials into the game.

He said: "We've had to beg, steal and borrow equipment in the past and we usually run courses at York University because they have it on site. Now we have got this equipment, we can take it to the villages and community centres because it is mobile and get the message over to people outside the city that this is a good area to be involved in the game and that they will get all the help they need."

Newly-qualified referees are currently assigned a mentor to guide them through the perilous early steps into officiating.

The mentor normally watches games and offers feedback in a two-way process whereby the rookie can also seek advice.

King hopes that the purchase of a new video camera will support that work, saying: "If we can get games filmed and show pointers that people can learn from that will be very helpful.

"It will be useful for new referees to see themselves rather than thinking back to the game. Seeing yourself is the best way of realising whether your position on the field or your signalling needs to improve."

King believes that giving encouragement to teenage referees is also the easiest way of improving standards at the highest level of the game.

Even former Premiership official Jeff Winter has lamented the current quality of officiating and York City boss Billy McEwan is a regular complainant.

King said: "There's a national shortage of referees not just in our area. More and more, women's and youth football in York is now being refereed by parents and coaches. They often don't want to do it but there are no other options.

"We need more people in the system. From a normal course of ten people, we are often happy to get two who become committed referees.

"Some do the course because they are managers and want to have a better understanding of the laws. Others are youngsters who do it as part of their Duke of Edinburgh course.

"You can become a referee at the age of 14 but a lot drop out at the age of 15 and 16. We need to make sure more stick at it and I hope this equipment will help achieve that."