HE WORKS alongside some of the world's most recognisable faces, rubbing shoulders with tennis' most charismatic stars on the theatre that is Centre Court.
He could one day write a book detailing the days he's shared with the likes of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, tales to tell of tennis greats and anecdotes that would undoubtedly captivate millions.
But ask Wimbledon's tournament referee Andrew Jarrett to recall his most enduring sporting moments, and his mind drifts quickly away from the All England Club.
“That's easy,” said the Championships' most respected official, also in charge of scheduling at SW19. “I had a wonderful situation which started over in Barcelona three years ago, where I had a Fed Cup tie.
“I managed to get to the Nou Camp and watched 90 of the most boring minutes of football you can imagine – pass, pass, pass, pass, pass.
“Barca nicked it a few minutes from the end against one of the smaller clubs in La Liga – I remember thinking to myself ‘this is the cream of European football and it's as dull as this'.
“That was the Sunday. Three days later I was back in London and I went down to Imber Court to watch Met Police play in the Ryman League. I tell you what, I had more enjoyment before a ball had been kicked than I had in that whole night in Spain.
“First, I checked the teamsheet – playing in central midfield for Met Police was Billy Crook. Billy Crook! For Met Police! You can't make that up, just fantastic.
Genius
“Secondly, as the teams entered the pitch guess what song they walked out to? I Fought the Law and the Law Won by The Clash, it's genius – you see, you just don't get this kind of thing anywhere else.
“This is why we love it, that's why it's great. The humour attached to Non-League always amazes me.
“Another time, it was January 1 and where else would I spend New Year's Day? Down in Somerset, Taunton Town were playing Cinderford naturally.
“There was an old bloke standing near us on his own, behind the goal, scarf on clearly with Taunton's best interests at heart. Anyway, as he watched another goal go in against his club, this poor man in the freezing cold, he looks down and sadly shakes his head.
“Then he mutters quietly to himself ‘new year, same s**t'. Well, I couldn't hold it together, these little vignettes up and down the country tickle me. It's so special.”
It's a first love for Jarrett, the 57-year-old who as a tennis player in the late 70s and early 80s reached an Australian Open doubles semi-final but didn't really hit the heights in singles.
Special
He confesses to being a ground-hopper –and has one potentially marriage-testing trip in mind.
He added: “Wherever I am I'll try and dip into a new ground. I had all the Conference clubs ticked off but I can't claim that now Barrow have been promoted back into the top flight.
“But I shall certainly put that right. Holker Street is on the agenda – I have this fond thought of persuading my wife to go up to the Lake District to do a bit of walking. I head off to Barrow on the Saturday and ideally Workington on the Tuesday if I can get a bit lucky. I wouldn't get away with it, she knows me too well, but it's a thought!
“It's the heart and soul of football. It's a great sadness that the Premier League has taken over to the extent it has. It should be a newly-passed law that nobody should be able to support any team except the town of their birth. I'm stuck with Derby but being a Belper boy they are close to my heart.”
