A FORMER Premier League referee has issued a rallying call to start a recruitment drive for more officials in the Forest’s grassroots game.

Clive Wilkes, who officiatated games in the top tier of English football beween 2000-2003, as well as in the FA Cup, League Cup and Championship, is the president of the North Gloucestershire League.

And Wilkes believes the drastic decline in numbers of qualified referees could see the entire competition have to be officiated by club members in the near future.

“At the moment we can cover the Premier Division for referees,” he said.

“We are desperate for referees. We are really short and the majority of games run without qualified referees.

“It’s been a problem for a couple of years.”

In the hopes of plugging the gap for qualified officials in the competition, the North Gloucestershire League have arranged for a free refereeing course to be held in Mitcheldean on Sunday October 30.

So far, Wilkes and the league’s committee have had 20 names commit to the course which is funded by the county FA.

“At the end of the day it’s for the benefit of all the clubs in the league,” he added.

“Even if ex-players do a game once a month or even if it’s someone who runs the line for a club, all are welcome.

“I started out the same way, going to a referee’s course on a whim and I went on to referee professionally.

“I would love for someone to come from our neck of the woods and go on to referee at the highest levels.

“It’s one more football ambition I wish to fulfill in my lifetime, to see another referee originate from the North Gloucestershire League.

“After hours of hard work and tactful negotiations with the GFA we have now secured complete freedom to recruit, train and retain any individual who wishes to become a feferee.

“We intend to offer referee training courses throughout the season. We have the funding in place which will mean there will be no cost to any individual or any club.”