MOHAMMED Patel has scooped a young referee of the year award less than two seasons after picking up his whistle for first time.

Now he has set his sights on the World Cup!

The 15-year-old Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil was named the East Lancashire Football Alliance’s best young official at its end of season awards night.

Now Mohammed, who has just finished his GCSE exams, would love to go right to the top.

“I love being a referee and getting this award is brilliant,” said Moham-med who is hoping to gain his Level Seven qualif-ication when he turns 16. “I would love to become a top official and one day referee in the Premier League and the World Cup.”

Mohammed, who used to play football for Black-burn Warriors, says Blackburn’s most recent top official, Mo Matador, has been a big help.

“Mo has given me a lot of constructive criticism which has been very helpful. He was a top level official and I would love to follow him one day.”

As well as his ELFA duties, Mohammed has refereed schoolboy games and also at Blackburn Rovers Academy.

“I would love to referee in the Premier League one day and then perhaps follow Howard Webb and go to the World Cup.”