Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 24

INTERVIEW

and in my office I still have a picture of
me officiating during that game, which
was given to me by a friend as a wedding
present.”
Lee has now officiated 138 Premier
League games, and as well as the FA
Cup final dream, he has also refereed
in Europe, only recently returning from
a game in Poland. He said: “There have
been some ups and downs, but I have
enjoyed every one of them. And there
is no better feeling than walking out to
take charge of a Premier League match.
If any youngster decides he or she
wants to become a referee, it is a great
opportunity to succeed, with so many
societies and avenues to help you along
the way and move forward.”
Surprisingly, the FA Cup final was
not his first Wembley appearance.
He refereed the FA Trophy final for
non-league clubs, between Barrow and
Stevenage Borough in 2010, and was
fourth official for the FA Cup final in
2011, between Manchester City and
Stoke City, before stepping on to the
ultimate stage in May of this year. He
said: “There is something very special
about Wembley. My mum was in the
Royal Box with my wife Melanie, and
all my close friends were there as well
watching. It was superb.”

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"The pitch had the
biggest slope in the world
- it was all right running
down it, but never easy to
get back up it.”
Lee admits: “You never stop learning
in this game. If you make a mistake at
lower levels it rarely gets noticed. But
in the Premier League every decision is
scrutinised by 27 TV cameras at every
ground, and every angle is covered. As
a referee you only have one angle and
one look, so of course there is a lot of
pressure.
“But thankfully nine times out of 10
we get it right, and although everyone
makes mistakes, every time we go out to
referee we strive to be the best we can. At
the end of the day if you can get players
and managers to work with you it makes
the job a lot easier.”
With Lee about to start a new season,
he said: “There are a few more ambitions
left, and I want to continue refereeing
as long as I can. When the time is right I
hope to go on my terms, but when that
will be, who knows?”