VETERAN Thurrock football referee Rob Bradley is well-used to most things when it comes to matches on the borough's playing fields, but even he admits to being a little star-struck last weekend.

Rob was due to referee a St Clere's youth team against against Stansted at the school grounds in Stanford-le-Hope but got there early and was watching some other matches when he found himself standing next to music icon Sir Rod Stewart.

Sir Rod, who lives at Durrington House, near Harlow, was in Stanford to watch his son Aiden play for Bishops Stortford Hoops against St Clere's U11s. The match ended in a 0-0 draw so there wasn't that much for self-confessed Glasgow Celtic-mad Sir Rod to celebrate, but it was a different matter for Rob who (forgive the pun) was cock-a-hoop to have met one of his idols!

Rob, who turns 70 this Christmas but is a few years behind his 76-year-old singing hero, said: "He was a lovely fella and we have a quick chat about the game. It was great to see him out there just like any other proud dad."