'I achieved a lifelong dream': Navy referee Scott Jackson reflects on refereeing his first League Two game
Royal Navy football referee Chief Petty Officer Scott Jackson says he "achieved a lifelong dream" after taking on the role as referee in a full League Two fixture for the first time.
CPO Jackson officiated as referee on Good Friday, when Harrogate Town hosted AFC Wimbledon for their Easter fixture in EFL League Two, which resulted in a 2-2 draw.
He admitted that being picked to referee a full League Two game was the result of "12 years of hard work".
He said: "Overall it was a good experience.
"There were a couple of learning points there for me, but with it being my first one and a big step up in level, it was good.
"I have been fourth official [in League Two] quite a lot of times over the past few years, but it is the first game that I've actually refereed from start to finish.
"For me it is a lifelong achievement and 12 years of hard work to get there.
"More importantly it is a tough gig anyway and to progress when there is a shortage of officials at the lower level, there isn't a shortage of officials at the higher level.
"So, it's lots of hard work, lots of sacrifices, but ultimately on Friday afternoon at three o'clock, I achieved a lifelong dream."
CPO Jackson hopes that his career progression as a referee can inspire other military football officials to "go and get it", but he admits that becoming a referee takes a lot of hard work.
He said: "If someone like myself can see if that career progression or pathway is there for the future, then go and get it, and work hard because it will not come to you, that's evidently clear.
"You've got to do the whole yards with learning, development, the miles, commitment and sacrifices that aren't talked about and that will be the main saying for me - that the sacrifices are really great in order to achieve what you want to achieve."
He added: "Ultimately you've got to have the love for football.
"If you don't know the game then my personal opinion is you are wasting your time, because it is a significant amount of pressure and the learning is tough.
"It's an uphill battle, often like pushing water up a hill with management and outside agents in the sense of you are going to get parents challenging on the sidelines, you are going to get players challenging, and that never goes away from refereeing."
Looking ahead, CPO Jackson is hoping to be selected to referee future League One and League Two games after his successful League Two refereeing debut.
He said: "I kind of want to keep my cards close to my chest as to what my goals are, to be honest, but I think it will be evidently clear that I want more of Friday.
"That will be for me to continue where I have been on the national league performance-wise this season, and to continue to learn and grow with that.
"Then ultimately, I hope to be selected for an interview at the end of the season and hopefully be selected to go on to League One and League Two.
"That will be absolutely brilliant for me and my family, and I just hope that we can get there."
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