'IT'S HUGE'

HULL-BORN TEEN SET TO MAKE WEMBLEY HISTORY

- By JOSH MCALLISTER

GEORGE Cox will make history on Saturday as the first Hull-born referee to take charge of a final at Wembley.

The 17-year-old will officiate the curtain-raiser in the capital when the Year 7 boys from Hull's Sirius Academy West face Rainford High School, St Helens, in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Match.

This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the schoolboys' curtain-raiser held before the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley - a tradition that also recognises outstanding young officials by giving them a chance to perform on the national stage.

George will be cheered on from the stands by mother Vicky, father Steve, stepmother Amanda, and grandad Graham on Saturday.

Currently in the second year of his A-Levels, George plans to pursue an apprenticeship in accountancy - while he holds a dream of going professional as a referee.

Outside of his studies, his week as an RFL official is packed - often refereeing scholarship games on Wednesday evenings, followed by amateur matches on weekends, plus hours spent reviewing game footage during the week.