FOOTBALL mad Eddie Martin has been named linesman of the year for the second year running - despite struggling with severe arthritis and a plastic knee.

Eddie picked up the unlikely honour after referees in the West Lancashire League Reserve Division voted the Padiham official their best assistant in the league.

He becomes only the third linesman to win back-to-back awards in the history of the league, but his story is all the more remarkable as he has continually defied doctor's orders to follow the game he loves.

In fact, the only games Eddie has missed in recent years is when he had to go into hospital to have the plastic knee fitted. However, within five months he was back running the line.

He said: "The doctors said it was a bad decision for me to go back to becoming a linesman.

"But there was no changing my mind because it is something I love to do. I have been involved with the club and the league for a number of years now and I would like to think I have struck up some kind of rapport with referees."

He added: "When I won the award last year I was absolutely delighted, but to win it again was a real shock."

Now 63, Eddie is hoping to get a few more years running the line before his condition gets too bad - but he even jokes that he could become the first linesman to run the line in a wheelchair!

He added: "I was due to have a plastic hip fitted but the arthritis is so bad that it is now in my spine so the doctors said it would be a waste of money and time.

"So I'm hoping to complete another full season and then take it from there. Who knows I could still end up doing it from my wheelchair." Alan Smith, manager of Padiham Reserves says that Eddie's task is a thankless one but he is glad he does it.

He said: "It must be one of the hardest jobs in football because whatever decision you make you're going to upset someone. Even his own players shout at him. But he is well liked here and he turns up through all weathers even if we are winning or losing.

"We are very lucky to have him here and it will be a very sad lose for the club when he finally hangs up his flag."

Wilf Carr, secretary of the West Lancashire League, said there should be more like Eddie in the league.

He said: "There have been a few people who have win the award twice before but it is nice to see someone like Eddie win it and win it on merit because it is the referees who have voted for him."

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