Mount Gambier football referee Bill Stephenson hangs up whistle after 35 years

Bill Stephenson has heard his fair share of feedback from the stands and the coaches' dugouts during his 35 years as a referee.

The stalwart of the Limestone Coast Football Association, in south-east South Australia, took up the job in 1990 as a way to support his kids' games.

But now Mr Stephenson has hung up the whistle after a career supporting junior football locally and across the state.

Despite developing a thick skin, he worries about the availability of referees due to increasing levels of abuse.

"A classic example is one of our junior referees had a really bad game with two of the teams this year," Mr Stephenson said.

"We thought he handled it really well, but he was ready to pull the pin.

"We sat him down and said, 'You did nothing wrong — it's only the spectators on the si