Premier League referee David Coote encourages young referees to keep at it and reflects on the journey that has taken him from Collingham to the world stage of football including UEFA
From humble beginnings as a teenage linesman in the Newark Alliance to now officiating matches in the beautiful games' greatest arena — the premier league — David Coote's story is an inspiration to young referees across the country.
"I started as a linesman for Wheatsheaf United in the Newark Alliance.
"My Dad played for them and my Uncle was the manager at the time.
"Local referee Andy Hind gave me a form to sign up and do the referees course, and I took it from there.
"I quickly discovered that I had more potential as a referee than as a player, but it never truly felt like refereeing was a career option for me until I became one full-time."
Winthorpe native Coote said he remembers his first match as a 14-year-old referee on the back pitch at Collingham officiating an under-11s game.
With referee retention currently an issue, Coote encourages young referees to stick at it.
"Use the support networks available of which there are many," he said.
"Newark Referees Society has always been fantastic in helping me."
He added that with perseverance and hard work, the rewards can be immense.
"To walk out at Wembley as referee for the Carabao Cup Final was a dream that came true earlier this season," he said.
"The most enjoyable part of the job is easy — I was stood just a couple of meters behind Michael Keane when he scored a 30-yard last-minute equaliser against Tottenham recently.
"It is those special sporting moments and seeing some of the best players in the world at their finest that stand out as highlights.
"The least enjoyable aspect of the job is the impact it can have on close friends and family.
"There is a large amount of time spent away from home and a lot of scrutiny that is ever-increasing."
Coote has risen through the football pyramid over the years to his current position and has officiated many games along the way.
In 2014, he refereed at Wembley twice in a month, taking charge of the FA Vase final and the League One play-off final between Rotherham United and Leyton Orient.
"There are various performance analysis and development systems in place, and selection for referees takes place via these at each level," said Coote.
"All of them take into account fitness and performance levels expected at each new level."
Coote says that like the game of football in general, refereeing is constantly evolving.
"As the demands of the game change, our training has had to as well," he said.
"We have regional Strength and Conditioning centres across the country that we attend weekly, with physio support in attendance, to supplement our training programme.
"UEFA has a dedicated list of VAR officials for international matches, who are also used for countries who do not have international VARs from their respective nations.
"These VAR officials also support English officials in Europe.
"I have been VAR for officiating teams from Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Ukraine this season, as well as supporting our English officials on UEFA matches."
Coote, whose father David played cricket for Nottinghamshire and Collingham completed his cricket umpiring course in 2020.
"I am embarking on a new season shortly as and when football allows me," said Coote who is also a member of the Collingham Golf Society.
Coote added that the district was a hotbed of football talent and he recently returned to referee a game in the Notts Senior cup.
"Having seen Newark and Sherwood United, Collingham FC, and Ollerton Town all relatively recently, I’ve been impressed by the standards and levels of professionalism,” he said.
"It is vital that the Newark area maintains its tradition of giving young players of the future the platform to develop and progress locally.
"So many local people — too many to name but they know who they are —have supported me along the way,” added Coote.
"They have sent messages of support and consoled me during difficult times, it has been truly humbling so my thanks goes to them.”
