“It’s proving to be a very popular pastime for both young men and women.

“We do get the annual fallout at the end of the season when people move on, suffer injury or simply retire but the numbers are holding up as the Respect campaign continues. It’s not a quick fix but it certainly is a long-term solution to tackle misconduct on and off the pitch.”

The Respect campaign helps clubs to imposing codes of conduct, provide training for referees, install spectator sideline barriers, and ensure captains work with referees to manage player behaviour.

Birmingham County FA registers more than 2,000 referees and runs 25 referee coaching courses.

Mr Nixon added: “There’s got to be a mutual understanding that the players respect the referees and referees build a rapport with the players.”

Last season, the FA rolled out the Respect campaign to professional football clubs, managers and playing staff, with varying levels of success.