WATCH out, all you football outlaws - the Ballantyne boys are in town.

The Dringhouses-based household boasts not one, not two, but three - yes - three men in black.

Dad Paul and sons Ben, aged 19, and Joe, three years younger, are all qualified referees charged with keeping football sinners in check. And this season their efforts have been consolidated as a three-strong team in the Leeper Hare York and District League premier division, where the senior Ballantyne is the man in the middle with his two sons officiating as linesmen.

Said a proud Ballantyne senior: "I've been told that it's the first time in the league's history that they have had all three officials from the same family.

"They've had brothers and father and son combinations of two, but never three."

A former goalkeeper with the now defunct York Sugar team before ending his playing career with the Leeman Road Hotel side that played in the York Sunday Afternoon League, the head of the York Ballantyne clan opted to start refereeing five years ago with he and Ben taking their first course together.

"I used to run one of the young 'uns' football teams at Hamilton Panthers and someone suggested about taking the referees' course. I'm so glad I did - and I suppose some would day I've been ruining a lot of games ever since," quipped the senior of the hat-trick of whistle-wielders.

Now at level four he officiates in at least ten Leeper Hare League premier games, with linesmen, each season - the league is his feeder league. He also runs the line in the Northern Counties East League premier division, the UniBond League premier division and the Conference North.

Eldest son Ben, who works in the claims department of Norwich Union, is expected to join his dad as a level four official in time for next season, with Oaklands School pupil Joe currently at level six. He was able to officiate at senior men's level earlier this season.

Said the senior Ballantyne, who is a site manager for a Leeds-based construction firm: "We are all strong and responsible, even Joe at such a young age clearly knows what he wants from a game.

"I enjoy refereeing more than when I was playing and it's not just a power trip. It's my way of giving something back to the game I played for many years."

And all three are agreed on what makes a good referee. Both sons follow their father's creed of: "It's mainly man-management and commonsense.

"If the players want to listen then it's easy, if not then that's when you might have to brandish a card."

However, while the Ballantyne three may get things all their own way on the field of play, they can't be guaranteed a lack of dissent back home. Wife Karen and daughter Tina are far from fervent followers of the beautiful game. Still, when Saturday comes...

Updated: 11:32 Thursday, April 20, 2006