Two Barnsley referees have each received a prestigious FA long-service award after clocking up more than 50 years commitment to local football.

Albert Rennison and Allan Clough both picked up the whistle in the early 1970s and have become highly respected within the grassroots football community.

Albert, who lives in Worsbrough, enjoyed an illustrious career as the man in the middle, with career highlights including refereeing the FA Trophy quarter-final, officiating reserve games at Old Trafford and Maine Road, and taking charge of several local cup finals. He was also a referee mentor, coaching referees such as Darren England and Scott Ledger who are both now in the Premier League.

As well as refereeing, Albert has been a coach at Dodworth Miners’ Welfare and then Penistone Church. At the latter, he coached England international and Manchester City star John Stones as a youngster until he signed for Barnsley.

Now 78, it’s half a century and still not out for Albert who has no plans to blow the whistle on his career any time soon, as another season officiating junior football in Barnsley is on the cards.

Pictured: Albert receives his FA long-service award from SHCFA Chair Brian Coddington

Allan Clough has held many key positions behind the scenes at South and West Yorkshire leagues and clubs over the years. He began playing in 1967 and was a founder member of Holmbridge FC in the Huddersfield and District League, then later moved to Honley United where he was involved in forming the club’s U13 junior team in the Huddersfield Junior League.

He spent 25 years as a referee, during which time he was president of Huddersfield Referees Association and served on several committees across the Barnsley FA and Barnsley Sunday League.He was instrumental in training and assessing referees in Barnsley between 2000 and 2015.

In 2000, Allan joined the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Council, a position he still proudly holds today. In 2018 he was also elected as President of the Barnsley Football Association and Chairman of the Barnsley Sunday League. 

Pictured: SHCFA Chair Brian Coddington presents Allan with his FA 50 Year Service Award

Brian Coddington, Chair of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA, recently presented Albert and Allan with their FA 50-year service awards at Clegg House.

Brian said: “Albert and Allan have dedicated their life to local football, each making a significant contribution to the game. They are both great ambassadors for grassroots football and work tirelessly to ensure all decisions are made with the best interest of the game. On behalf of the County FA, I’d like to thank them both for their exceptional commitment and dedication.”

If you know a person who deserves recognition for 50+ years of service, then make sure you nominate them for a FA long-service award at: www.sheffieldfa.com/about/50-year-service-award