The Seasiders' resident terrace drummer and part-time Sunday league official was brought on as an emergency substitute after one of the linesmen in Blackpool's Championship clash with Leicester City injured his knee.

And super sub Steve did it in gaffer Grayson's boots!

The apprentice engineer, of Devonshire Road, Blackpool, was with his mates watching the game when, 15 minutes after kick-off, an announcement went over the public address system asking for anyone with refereeing experience to come forward to take the place of the injured official.

"I was with my mate Dan Hogg and some other lads and the message went up," Steve explained. "A few of the lads then said 'we dare you'.

"I went over to the dug-out and saw Steve Thompson, Blackpool's assistant manager, who I know and he knows I've got reffing experience. Before I know it I'm getting changed out of my Blackpool shirt and into ref's gear.

"The officials didn't like my white trainers so I had to get a pair of boots on for the second half. They ended up being Simon Grayson's!"

Steve, who had that morning refereed an under-10s game in the Poulton Primary League between Thornton and South Shore, was drafted in as the fourth official while the original fourth official took over from the injured linesman.

The former St Mary's High School pupil's tasks included controlling substitutions, holding up the board to show how much added time to be played and - most challenging of all - making sure the opposing managers behaved themselves.

"They were both all right, and I didn't have to shout at either one to get back into their technical areas," Steve added.

"At one stage Ian Holloway, the Leicester manager, came up to complain about a foul, but I had to tell him 'Ian I'm just standing in'.
"The crowd then got on his back and he just told them he was wishing me a happy New Year!"

After his sudden promotion from the terrace to touchline, Steve was forced to keep a lid on his jubilation when Paul Dickov scored a last minute winner for the Seasiders.

The consummate professional, who has just achieved his first official refereeing qualification, said: "I couldn't really jump up as I had hold of the board ready to show how many minutes were left!"

Steve added: "It was a great experience and it's made me want to push on with my refereeing.

"The result topped off a great day and one I'll not forget."

And yes he had to give Simon Grayson his boots back.

The Blackpool boss said: "Yeah, he did OK.

"I said to him 'do you really want to do this job?' But I decided to take it easy on him and not have a shout at him just for the sake of it!"

Steve's dad Mike said: "It was an amazing experience for Steve and I'm very proud of him.

"I've got refereeing experience, but there's not way I'd have the bottle to do what he did."