FORMER Taunton Town star Owen Irish has set his sights on a Premier League appearance – as a referee.

Irish, 29, spent nine years playing in Taunton's defence before departing in November 2017, and has recently thrown himself into referee training with the Somerset FA.

It is not a snap decision, though, as he explained to the County Gazette that he had been thinking about becoming the man in black for a while.

"I had the initial thought about it over the last two years, but had always prioritised playing," Irish said.

"I'm at the stage now, where it's a stone that I don't want to leave unturned."

Within the last six weeks he has thrown himself into the Somerset FA course, with practical training sessions covering the basics of officiating.

He's something of a veteran on the course, training alongside 12 and 13-year-olds on their Duke of Edinburgh Award, and 16 and 17-year-olds looking to make some money.

So has it been what he expected?

"My playing experience has benefited me, in terms of a general starting point.

"I always appreciated that referees had a hard task, but until you take control of a game you don't realise how hard it is.

"Refereeing 22 of me would have been a nightmare; I was always vocal and had an opinion on every decision.

"When I look back now, I should maybe have been more lenient on the refs!"

Irish has already taken charge of two matches – Wyvern United against Norton Fitzwarren Reserves in the Taunton Saturday League, and a Taunton versus Bridgwater Under-13s match.

"Those games were worlds apart," said Irish.

"Not just the age of the players... one was on a lush 3G pitch, the other on a quagmire and they had done well to get the game on!

"The Under-13 game was almost too smooth, with no dissent, but it was good practice.

"I'm not ready for 22 men kicking lumps out of each other quite yet!

"I'm always honest with myself, even overcritical, and [after the Wyvern-Fitzwarren game] I was a little despondent, thinking about things I could have done differently.

"But when I sat back, I thought it's a bit like driving a car – you can't pass straight away, it will take time."

Irish is prepared to be patient, but he still wants to make it to the top.

"I can't think too far ahead, but I'm ambitious and I want to do well," he said.

"I've always done well playing sport, but now I'm starting at the bottom.

"I want to get up to a decent level quickly, as long as it isn't to the detriment of the quality of my refereeing.

"I have experience in the game, and nothing is holding me back apart of whether I'm good enough.

"I'd love to referee in the Premier League one day.

"I can certainly aim high, and see where the career might take me."

Before that, though, Irish will be playing – rather than refereeing – in the Taunton Town Legends versus Manchester United Legends match at the Viridor Stadium on Sunday, April 7.

He said: "I'm quite flattered to be asked, as I don't see myself as a Taunton Town legend compared to the likes of Paul West and Tony Payne.

"I was lucky to play for the club for nine years, and it's an honour to be a part of this match; it's lovely for the lads who won the FA Vase to come back together."