MIKE Mullarkey – who ran the line as assistant to referee Howard Webb in the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands – was a surprise special guest at this year's Football Association Match Officials Association (FAMOA) event at Plymouth Argyle's Home Park.

Mr Mullarkey, who was born in Exeter, showed off his medal from South Africa at the meeting, which was supported by the Devon FA, Cornwall FA and The FA and was open to all referees, assessors, tutors and mentors.

Lee Probert – who is on the Premier League select group list of referees and is also on the FIFA list of referees – kicked off proceedings, before Craig Cox, from The FA, provided a National update on match officials and how many the country has at each level of refereeing.