'Have you ever played the game, ref?' FourFourTwo travels to Warwick to meet the 10 former footballers aiming to make it as match officials

Three match officials in black uniforms stand on a football pitch, preparing to officiate an under-19s fixture at the University of Warwick.

On a breezy Friday at the University of Warwick, three match officials stride into the centre of the pitch, ready to take charge of an under-19s fixture.

Running one line today, Liam Trotter has 300-plus Football League outings to his name, the majority in the Championship for Ipswich, Millwall, Bolton and Nottingham Forest. Holding the other assistant referee’s flag in his hand, Peter Vincenti turned out for Aldershot, Rochdale and Stevenage. Grasping the whistle is ex-Barnsley and Gateshead defender George Smith.