STUDENTS at Burnley’s dedicated football university can now combine their studies with training to become a referee.

The Turf Moor campus of the University College of Football Business (UCFB) is now classed as a ‘referees hub’, with referees qualifying there and going through the FA system.

The Wembley campus, which opened this month, is also a Referee Elite Development Centre, giving students in higher education the opportunity to continue to progress as a football referee while being supported during their studies.

George Sutcliffe, head of sports coaching and development at UCFB, said: “I think it is a fantastic opportunity for UCFB students to be able to start or continue a career in refereeing with our help.

“Typically, due to the nature of our degrees, we have significant interest from our undergraduates in playing, coaching and officiating football.

“The Elite Development Centre at UCFB Wembley provides consistent and exciting training to help students progress through the football pyramid.

“We offer training and guidance to help with both the physical and psychological sides to refereeing.

“UCFB Wembley providing one of the only Elite Development Centres in the country makes perfect sense because of our location. I’m confident that we can continue to build on the good practice we have started in Burnley.

“The initiative allows students to concentrate on both their academic studies and becoming a high-level referee.”

UCFB has around 350 students based in Burnley and the Wembley campus will eventually see UCFB take on 2,000 students.

A number of people with Burnley connections sit on the UCFB advisory board, including former Clarets chief executive Paul Fletcher, Burnley fan Alastair Campbell, Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle and England women’s goalkeeper Rachel Brown, who was born in the town.