Retirement not an option for 87-year old Cambridgeshire referee
Percy Parker's since become a social media hit
An 87-year-old grassroots football referee in Cambridgeshire said he has no intention of retiring any time soon.
"I shall never give up; they'll have to carry me off the pitch by the time I'm finished," Percy Parker said.
Percy, from St Ives, started out his refereeing career in 1973 having played for his local club in Godmanchester.
A father of four sons, Percy was encouraged by his wife to watch his children play football and from there, decided to get more involved in the game.
"I started helping them out, running a team called Minstrels FC, and that was against the Rowdies in Huntingdon; the team folded, but I stayed in refereeing because I enjoyed it."
He was also a driving instructor for around 25 years, and a picture of him in his refereeing kit has been seen on X more than 370,000 times.
The attention has left Percy somewhat surprised, having been asked by a member of one of the under 12 teams he was refereeing for a picture.
"It was a good match, very enjoyable, and the man comes up to me and said 'do you mind if I take a photo of you?'" he said.
"I said 'no', he then asked for my age and it started from that, so it's a shock to me."
Usually as a linesman, Percy continues to officiate at junior football matches in Huntingdonshire most Saturdays.
In his career, Percy has faced tricky times on and off the pitch, including abuse.
"I've been called everything, but I just hope I'm fair," he said.
"I don't look for glory, all I look for is to enjoy it and that's what it boils down to; you respect them to players and the players will respect you as a referee.
"I like it because you can give something back to the children, and when you encourage them to do things, you can see the smiles and get satisfaction from it."
Some people have been left surprised by Percy's age whenever he's asked.
And he believes giving up is not an option.
"Most of them can't believe it, but I happen to be lucky I've got the health and stamina to do it," Percy added.
"I can't give it up, I won't give it up; I'm just known as Percy the ref and that's it.
"If I retire, I'm not going to sit at home twiddling my thumbs, I've got to get out and do something."