BRITAIN’S oldest rugby referee Nando Di Matteo is preparing for the new season at the ripe old age of 87 – on a diet of Guinness and bananas.
During the past 40 years he has officiated at more than 2,500 matches – often fitting in four games a week.
Even now, when most people his age are putting their feet up, Nando will referee a match every Saturday and Sunday, running up and down the pitch for 80 minutes.
His new season begins next weekend, but The Sun recently watched him officiate at a friendly between Northants teams Wellingborough and Rushden, rivals for the past 140 years.
Supping a pint in front of the clubhouse as he watched the ref handing out a yellow card, a Wellingborough supporter said: “Nando’s wearing a knee brace, that’s new. He’s obviously feeling his age.”