A Selby rugby referee tipped for the top has hung up his whistle in disgust after two seasons of being abused and ostracised by players, coaches and spectators.

Former Rugby Union international tourist Ray Adamson, who is now back playing with his old club, Selby, today lifted the lid on "ref rage" that is driving officials out of the game.

The last straw for the 42-year-old teacher came when people he had played with and shared a beer with only a season or two earlier shunned him in the clubhouse.

"They no longer wanted to drink with me if their team had lost and my decisions were deemed to be the reason for their defeat," said Mr Adamson.

"Unfortunately, there seems to be a growing number of clubs where the referee is seen as some demon who serves only to ruin everybody's Saturday afternoon, and who is to be ignored, ostracised or pilloried before being allowed to escape.

"Even at a fairly low level, coaches are being judged by their league position and referees are being held up as scapegoats."

Father-of-three Mr Adamson, who toured Australia and Fiji with England in 1988, was destined for the top after being chosen by Rugby Football Union chiefs as one of a new breed of referees to fast-track.

The former Wakefield and Yorkshire full-back felt he had the fitness and ambition to go all the way, but he didn't bargain for the intolerable hassle that went with the whistle.

Speaking at his home in Moss Green Lane, Brayton, Mr Adamson said: "Some Saturdays I would be sworn at on the pitch, and then ignored in the bar."

The RFU estimate that about 800 disillusioned referees quit the game each year.

Mr Adamson said: "I decided I could do without the hassle, and I can honestly say I have no regrets."

Updated: 14:07 Wednesday, January 17, 2001