Septuagenarian saves the day in cup!

The Football Association’s official statisticians had better start checking their records after Wroxham’s veteran kitman Pat Penn ran the line in the FA Cup at the grand old age of 72!

The former fireman, pictured, used to be a Non-League referee up until a few years ago and sprung into action again on Saturday when the scheduled linesman for Ryman North Wroxham’s First Qualifying Round tie at Mildenhall Town in Suffolk had to rush off home for a personal emergency.

Penn has been associated with the Yachtsmen for more than 50 years and officials at the Norfolk outfit say they are indebted to him for stepping forward with the agreement of both clubs after no local officials could be found who could make it to Recreation Way in time for the 3pm kick-off.

Club press officer and spokesman Tom Crabb said: "I can imagine that most 72-year-olds can think of better ways of spending their Saturday afternoons than running up and down a touchline, flag in hand for a semi-professional football match.

"It didn’t take him long to get into his stride up and down the touchline, although I’m sure those strides may be a bit more measured and tighter afterwards. Well done Pat for doing a great job and saving the day for both sides!"

Penn oversaw a 3-1 win for his beloved club, a brace from Jamie Forshaw and a goal from Christy Finch sealing their place in the next round with Adam Burroughs grabbing a consolation for the Eastern Counties League outfit.

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