Last updated at 13:33, Wednesday, 28 March 2012

BOXING referee Alvin Finch may have missed out on his dream job – but he is ready for the next best thing when he gets measured up for his official blazer as a time keeper at the Games.

MAN IN MIDDLE: Referee Alvin Finch JOE RILEY REF: 50026317B004

Selected from a panel of eight, the Kendal based official made it through to the last four before the final selection left Great Britain with just one referee.

“We were hoping that there would be two Great Britain referees but there will only be one and as the Games are in London it went to a Londoner.

“But I am still excited at the prospect of the next best thing of being a time keeper,” said the father of four, who began boxing at the age of nine and referees more than 700 bouts a year throughout Cumbria.

“For me it is countdown time until we are called down for a dress rehearsal two days ahead of the Games, and although I missed out on the big one I am still very excited at the prospect of being part of the Olympics.”

Apart from officiating at bouts both home and abroad, Alvin has been on regular duty in all of Cumbria’s 11 boxing clubs including Kendal, Ambleside and Windermere.

First published at 11:18, Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk