Top-flight Billericay referee Andy D'Urso has received a tremendous early Christmas present after a call from European football's governing body, UEFA.

The 36 year-old, who lives in Crays Hill, has been refereeing at the highest level in England for the past two years after being promoted to the FA Carling Premiership and now faces the prospect of ruling proceedings as a UEFA official at some of Europe's top stadia and International fixtures.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, D'Urso revealed: "I had heard rumours that I was being considered by UEFA, but until I received the telephone call, nothing had been finalised.

"I'm very excited about the future, but there are many challenges ahead before I'll get the chance to referee any of the really big games."

D'Urso will be attending a meeting at the FA's London headquarters in January before flying out to Turkey in February to attend a four day course on European refereeing.

"The course in Turkey will be a basic introduction to UEFA's way of doing things," he added. "There will be referees from all over Europe who have all been selected from the top level in their respective countries."

However, it will be a while before D'Urso will be overseeing proceedings at Italy's famous San Siro stadium or Spanish giants Barcelona's legendary Nou Camp home.

"Normally, newly appointed UEFA referees get to officiate youth matches and InterToto Cup ties so they can be assessed," D'Urso added.

"If I perform to the required standard, I could get to referee some games at the Under-21 tournament in Toulon next year, and we'll see what happens after that.

"In the past, UEFA refs get to oversee between six and ten games a season so, obviously, the appointment will involve more time away from my family and my job.

"However, I'm very lucky to have a supportive family and my full time employer couldn't be more hopeful."

D'Urso, who refereed in the Nationwide League for seven years before his call to the Premiership, is certainly keen to make a mark in the UEFA rankings.

He concluded: "Moving up to the Premiership was a big jump and, after proving myself at that level, this is the next step up.

"My ambition is to become one of the top 30 referees in Europe. I know that won't be easy but I've always relished a challenge."

Continental call - for Billericay's Andy D'Urso.

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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