MOST football fans know a song or two to sing at a referee when things aren’t going so well.
And the chances are everyone will know a song or two by one award-winning Potters Bar referee’s global superstar brother.
Football-mad Donald Stewart may be the older brother of British musician Rod, but it was the Football Association which was singing his praises after he was awarded the 50 years service award for his commitment to the game.
The ceremony took place at Old Owens Football Club on Coopers Lane and afterwards Donald told the Potters Bar Edition he intends to have a career in football spanning longer than his brother’s musical career, with the Byng Drive resident still refereeing now at the grand old age of 81.
He said: “Football has been my life, a lot like music is for my brother.
“I started playing for local clubs like Willesden when I lived in London and then later clubs like Cheshunt.
“But as I got older I came down the ladder and I got into refereeing really just to stay in football.”
After his playing days had finished Donald, known as Don, became secretary at Highgate Redwing FC before qualifying as a referee in 1981.
He is now the secretary of Vagabond Old Boys FC, the football team in which his brother Rod plays, and in true rock and roll fashion, the club’s home pitch is of course in Rod’s very own back garden in his estate in Epping, Essex.
Arsenal fan Don continued: “Rod often invites teams to come down and play at his home pitch, and I will always referee but things never get out of hand.
“Plenty of celebrities have taken part in charity matches since the team started in 1996, such as Glen Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles, Gordon Strachan, Ian Wright and Bradley Walsh.
“You certainly don’t get much money from refereeing but I’ve never asked Rod to pay me because he does look after me very well, he’s taking me to Las Vegas next year with my wife to see one of his shows, so I can’t exactly charge him for a game!”
Although Don still loves being involved in the game and is proud at receiving his latest award from the FA, he admits he may soon have to blow the full-time whistle on his refereeing career as he still recovers from a triple heart bypass operation of a couple of years ago.
On his swansong Don added: “This may be my last year. Fitness is the main thing and at 81 things do start to catch up with you.
But I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it and for as long as I keep enjoying it I will try to carry on.”
His brother Rod may well be inducted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but Don’s 50-year commitment to the game has seen him make headlines in his own right – and he still isn’t ready to give football the red card just yet either.
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