93‑year‑old referee Frank Foster continues to officiate, having overseen about 5,500 matches during a 46‑year career and running the field three times a week for his local soccer association.
Foster attributes his longevity and match‑day stamina to a lifetime of healthy habits, citing wartime rationing as a foundation that kept him eating nutritious foods instead of sweets and cakes.
Today he fuels his game‑day preparation with wholesome nutrition, beginning each morning with a bowl of oatmeal, cereal, or marmalade on toast. The meal provides the energy needed to last the full 90 minutes across men’s, women’s and children’s games, a role he jokes he will never retire from.
His sharp mind and authoritative presence on the field are as strong as his physical endurance. A military veteran who earned a 98‑percent score on his referee exam in 1980, he relies on disciplined control to keep matches under order.
Foster believes modern elite officials are too soft and allow player antics to ruin the sport. He sets strict ground rules before kickoff, shows no tolerance for intimidation or theatrical diving, and would book players who exaggerate injuries.
He also resists being surrounded by squads on the field, insisting that maintaining authority requires a clear stance and control.
He avoids the modern stress of video review, arguing it creates unnecessary aggression and disappointment over microscopic offside calls that he finds ridiculous.
Never expected to still be officiating at 93, Foster embraces the role, keeps his kit freshly washed and his black Adidas boots clean after each match, ensuring he is ready for the next game.
