ARE YOU DEAF, REF?

From: The Mirror - UK - Apr 17, 2004

By Jeremy Armstrong

NEWLY qualified deaf referee Jayson Kiggins plans to show the red card if he gets any lip from players.

That's because, although he can't hear, Jayson, 19, is an ace at lip reading. He now hopes to go on and work in the Premiership after passing his ref exams.

He said: "I don't think being deaf has hindered, if anything it can be a help because I can't hear it when the crowd get on my back."

Local league secretary Geoff Turrell said: "There is no reason why Jayson cannot go all the way and referee in the top league."

Apprentice electrician Jayson, of Whitehaven, Cumbria, said: "I don't see why deafness should stop me."

© Trinity Mirror Digital Media Limited 2004.