A Young Referee's Heartwarming Actions After 7-Year-Old Didn't Want To Play Anymore Go Viral

By Jack Kenmare

Harry Nixon, a 17-year-old A-Level student from Rotherham, covers at least two or three matches each weekend; and often officiates older age groups.

But last weekend, the teenager was handed an U8's cup final - a game that included plenty of goals.

During that tie, one of the young goalkeepers decided to go to the floor after conceding "a few." In fact, he didn't want to continue playing, according to Harry's dad, Lee.

After spotting the U8's shot-stopper on the ground, referee Harry rushed over to console him. He sat down, had a comforting chat with the youngster and eventually, he returned to his goalkeeping duties.

It wasn't the first time he did it, either. "Sometimes in life, you just know you've done okay raising your kids," Harry's dad, Lee, wrote in a Twitter post that has since gone viral. "Touch of class son."

Lee spoke to the Yorkshire Evening Post about his son's actions during the cup final.

He said: "Even though officially only a youth himself, he often shows a great maturity to deal with the issues on the field along with the coaches and parents off the field."

Plenty on social media praised Harry for his kind and thoughtful gesture, including former Premier League referee Mark Halsey, who labelled the teenager as "an inspiration to all."

One Twitter user also commented: "Having conceded more than a few in a terrible school team as a kid, I know the feeling and it just takes the right encouragement to push you on. Well done to him for taking the time out with the lad."

Another wrote: "Brilliant that and what a great example he's setting for those young players and aspiring young referees. Hope he sticks at it, exactly the kind of people we need involved in the game. I'm a grassroots coach myself and it infuriates me when young officials get stick. So undeserved."

A third said: "This is the sort of thing that restores your faith in human nature. Congratulations to the referee for realising what the child was going thru at that moment, and congratulations to the goalie for continuing once he had had a "heart to heart " with the ref."

One of the feel-good stories of the week. Well done, Harry.