WHETHER ridiculed or revered, they often find themselves the butt of jokes because of nothing more than their hair colour.

For generations, ginger is the colour that makes it often impossible for people to fade into the background.

Now the taunts more familiar in a children's playground have reached one of the highest levels of the beautiful game.

A football referee today stands accused of shouting oi ginger shut- up' at Southampton Burridge AFC defender, Paul Dyke.

The player has compared the taunt to a racist slur.

He said: "What gives him the right to verbally abuse me and use my hair colour as an insult?"

Dyke added: "I am an easy target for players on a pitch with my hair colour used as an insult and I enjoy the banter that surrounds a game of football as much as the next player.

"But referees are different in that they should not be allowed to abuse and discriminate against players on any level.

"What would have happened if I had taken exception to this and called him a bald, short idiot.' I rightfully would have been sent off."

Dyke, who has played in grassroots football for the last 20 years, alleged the referee Mark Rayment shouted the taunt during the Bishopstoke game moments after appealing for an offside.

He is now demanding the official be punished in the same way a player would be for abusing a referee.

The incident comes as the Daily Echo continues its "Respect the Ref" campaign to stamp out abuse aimed at referees.

When contacted by the Daily Echo, Mr Rayment said: "I don't know anything about that incident at all. No one from the FA has mentioned it to me so I am not prepared to comment on that."

A Hampshire FA spokesman said the unusual' incident was under investigation.

However, one of the most famous ginger-haired sportsmen in Southampton's footballing history said he never let his hair colour get in the way.

Former Southampton football manager Gordon Strachan said: "I have a lot of features that people could pick on if they wanted to. I have a big nose, I am ginger, I am small, I am Scottish.

"I am not too sensitive about these things and being ginger has never bothered me.

"If I had been in the player's position and the referee had said something at me about my hair colour, I would have spotted something on him that I could have said back.

"I would hope he would be as strong-minded as me."

Among the south's sporting stars Strachan, now the Celtic manager, finds himself in good ginger company with former Southampton player and manager Alan Ball and 400 metre athlete Iwan Thomas who ran for Team Solent.

Not to be outdone Hampshire's most famous red headed women include celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock and Esther Rantzen who has a home in the New Forest.