North Wales Coast Football Association

Katie Hannah (left) and husband Graham Hannah (right) with in the middle referee Peter Kewley line up with Llandudno captain Claire Colville (left) and Abergavenny skipper Ceri Hudson before last weekend's Welsh Premier Women's League match at the Giant Hospitality Stadium

Heard the one about the man who became a football referee to escape from the wife?

Well that's certainly not the case for one soccer-loving couple from St Asaph.

Graham Hannah, a former player, took up refereeing in 2015 and last November his wife Katie joined him on the North Wales Coast FA officials list.

Last Sunday saw the pair officiate at the same game for the first time when they were assistants for the Llandudno v Abergavenny Welsh Premier Women's League clash.

"We were appointed to the match a couple of months ago and had been looking forward to it ever since," said Katie.

"Graham is a referee in the Welsh Alliance League and also a Cymru (Huws Gray) Alliance assistant.

"I am sticking to assisting at the moment but will hopefully move to refereeing as I build my confidence."

So why did the couple take up refereeing?

Katie explained: "When Graham's playing career was winding down, he saw officiating as the ideal way of still being involved in the game. Last year whilst I was watching Graham officiate I had a light bulb moment and thought "I could do that!".

"There is a shortage of referees and assistants in North Wales so within a few weeks I was enrolled on an eight-week course with the NWCFA.

"We took it up at different times. When Graham started officiating I never thought I would end up doing it as well!"

And the pair have no ambitions to stand still in the world of refereeing.

"I would like to keep improving with the goal of eventually gaining my FIFA badge which would give me the opportunity to officiate on an international level," said Katie.

"Graham has the target of refereeing in the second tier (Cymru Alliance)."

Graham played football for 20 years. His resume reads: Rhyl Delta 1995-1998, Prestatyn Town 1998-2001, Point of Ayr 2001-2003, Beaumaris Town 2003-2009, Rhuddlan Town 2009-2011 and Gaerwen 2014-2015.

By contrast, Katie has never played the game competitively, but loves it with the same passion as her husband.

And Graham is delighted that his wife has taken up the whistle.

He said: "There is a shortage of female officials in football in general so it is great that Katie has taken it up.