Football's new elite corps of FA Premier League men in black will include York referee Matt Messias.

The 37-year-old official, who kicked off his whistle-stop career in York amateur leagues, was confirmed as one of 24 FA Premiership referees to spearhead the game's drive towards full-time officials.

Under the radical proposals announced last week by the FA the 24 elite division of refs will be paid a retainer of £33,000 from next season so that they can devote themselves professionally to the art of refereeing.

Match fees of £900 each Premiership game could push annual earnings for the game's top refs to as much as £60,000.

But while welcoming the new deal Messias - an ardent advocate of professional referees since he first acquired notebook, stop-watch and whistle 14 years ago - said it was simply not about money.

As he first revealed to the Evening Press exclusively last week he believes the move to professional referees will increase respect for the game's officials as well as enabling refs to dedicate yet more time and fitness to

their profession.

Of his elevation into the elite Messias declared: "I am delighted - chuffed to bits.

"This is something I have always wanted to do. I always hoped it would come around, so I am thrilled it has at a time when things are going well for me.

"I just can't wait now for the new season to start."

However, Messias added that he would be seeking talks with his current employers at Thirsk School, where he has been a physical education teacher for the past ten years, to be able to continue his work there.

As part of the FA scheme referees will be able to work for three days out of each ten working days at other work, allowing them to pursue a part-time job if they so wish.

Messias is hoping that will afford him the chance of staying loyal to the school that he insisted had significantly suported him as he has ascended the refereeing ladder.

"As it is now the scheme is not wholly full-time for refeees. It might well go that way in a year's time, but in what will be a transition season some refs will be able to still have a part-time job," said Messias.

"I've been at Thirsk School for ten years now and I love the school.

"The school, and especially the headmaster Chris Lewis, have always been supportive to me all the way.

"I want to make sure I do my best by the school. I am not going to leave them in the lurch."

Messias added that he has a meeting in London with FA officials in a week's time to discuss terms and conditions of the new refereering deal.

After that he will talk to the powers that be at Thirsk School.

But one thing is for sure.

York's lone FA Premier League referee has a major part to play in one of the domestic game's biggest revolutions for many a year.

Updated: 12:27 Monday, June 18, 2001