Jim de Rennes may not be able to trump famous referee Howard Webb on quality, but he can beat the former Premier League man in the middle on quantity.

The former Tiffin School English teacher was honoured for 25 years service as a county referee during a Surrey FA function at Met Police FC’s Imber Court home last Thursday.

Webb, who took charge of the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals, was guest of honour and spoke for more than two hours on his 1,000+ match top level career.

Claygate-based De Rennes, who takes pride in the fact he has been assaulted just once in his career, first blew his whistle when Tolworth Little League was short of officials and he has never looked back, chalking up more than 2,000 games in charge.

“Howard is probably the greatest ever referee world wide,” said de Rennes, who also trains the next generation of officials.

“There is nobody better I could have received such an award from and to receive it in front of more than 200 colleagues was a great feeling.

“He may beat me on quality, but I can beat him on quantity.”

He added: “I took it up to help out my young sons and I caught the bug.

“I started in my 40s so was unable to go higher than the Combined Counties League, but I would encourage anyone to take it up. It is never too late.

“I’ve made a great many friends in refereeing, which is a good job, because nobody else likes us.”

De Rennes, who often takes charge of more than three games a week, largely referees for Oxshott Royals in Cobham and at Kingston University these days.

But he has been lucky enough to appear at both the old and new Wembley.

“I ran the line at a charity match at Wembley before the old stadium was demolished and refereed some corporate matches at the new stadium,” he added.

“There were not many people there, but it was still a thrill.”

And de Rennes confirmed – unlike now retired Webb – he has no plans to hang up his whistle just yet.

“Age is nothing, fitness is everything,” he said.

“It keeps me mentally sharp and fit.

“With all my experience I can get away without running so much by reading the game.”