AN East Lancashire football enthusiast said that he had not turned into an “Old Big ‘Ead” after featuring in the new big-screen movie about Brian Clough.

Peter Quinn, 45, plays referee Bob Matthewson, who famously sent off Kevin Keegan and Billy Bremner in the 1974 Charity Shield, in The Damned United.

Mr Quinn, the secretary of Blackburn non-league side Sporting Athletic, said it was a “great thrill” to play a part in such a high-profile film.

He said: “It was really good fun. Stephen Graham (who plays Bremner) was very friendly and I also met Timothy Spall and Michael Sheen.

“It was a great experience and I’ve already been to see it on the big screen.

“It’s just a shame I don’t get as much screen time as I would have liked.”

The film stars Sheen as the legendary boss, who was known as Old Big ‘Ead.

It focuses on Clough’s 44-day reign as Leeds United boss, which began with the controversial Charity Shield clash against Liverpool.

The film is based on David Peace's bestselling novel The Damned Utd.

Mr Quinn, of Malvern Avenue, Blackburn, is a former postman and now works as a budding actor.

As well as his role in The Damned United he has featured in BBC series The Street, starring Bob Hoskins and plays an England football coach in upcoming movie Goal 3.

Filming for The Damned United took place last summer when Chesterfield’s Saltergate football ground and Elland Road in Leeds were used as locations.

Mr Quinn, a Manchester United fan, added: “I have done a little bit of refereeing in the past and I have always been involved with football.

“I think the film will be very popular.”

The film is in cinemas now.