Meet the ref – Adrian Bold. Adrian Bold's career in local soccer has turned full circle, having started as a player at the age of 17 on the Downs where he is now a regular referee – almost 40 years later!

He kicked off in goal for Greyfriars Athletic as a teenager and helped the team win the Down League's Division II title before the club moved to the Bristol and District League in the early 1970s.

He helped the Friars progress up the divisions until the team were elected to the Bristol Combination in 1996, although he had short spells away from the club with Patchway and Backwell.

He qualified as a referee in 1992, while manager of the first team, and was soon roped in to officiate games on Sunday mornings when his son Alex was playing in goal for Shire Colts.

He also took charge of Bristol Boys and Bristol City Junior games for Roger Barton, then officiated in City Academy games at Under-16 level for a couple of seasons.

It was back to the Downs for Adrian at the turn of the century when several senior Greyfriars players, including John Mortifee and Adrian Parsons, left the Premier Combination behind to form Bristol Barcelona.

He continued to turn out for a Greyfriars Vets team on Sundays until age caught up with many of the evergreens two years ago.

He is also Barcelona's secretary, with son Alex as treasurer, and he produces a weekly programme of news and gossip about the club.

Knee problems brought an end to his cricketing days as a wicketkeeper/batsman for Old Colstonians. Since then he has turned his attention to golf and is a member at Long Ashton.

Among his partners on the tee has been Richard Wood, who will be acting as caddy to his son Chris in tournaments in the USA later this year.

Cycling and regular stints on his exercise bike also helped to keep him in trim for his weekly appointments as a level 7 referee on the Downs.

"I am thinking about applying for promotion so that I can referee in the higher divisions," added Adrian, who is a little surprised at the FA's Respect programme has not been fully introduced in the Downs League.