NEW GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL MATCH OFFICIALS

[Michael Morris]

In a major development for English football, the EFL and the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) have today announced details of a new group of professional Match Officials.
The group will officiate across the Sky Bet Championship and support development of refereeing standards across the rest of the Sky Bet EFL.

Known as Select Group 2, the introduction of 18 new contracted Referees and 36 Assistant Referees has been made possible thanks to financial investment from all 24 Championship clubs which will enable officials to meet regularly, share learning, and improve consistency on the pitch.

This investment to support development of Match Officials in the EFL follows the recent launch of a new joint initiative adopted across English football that aims to promote honesty, integrity and positive behaviour across the game. Backed by the EFL in conjunction with the FA and the Premier League, from the start of the 2016/17 season PGMO will apply the laws of the game to rigorously manage players' and coaches' behaviour towards match officials, as well as conduct in the technical area.

This initiative has been introduced alongside a revision of the game’s laws designed to make them more easily understood by all and to ensure there is greater consistency in application by officials.

Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive said: "The job of a referee has always been an unforgiving one and today, more than at any other point in the history of our competitions, they face increasing scrutiny over how they perform and the split second decisions they make. Therefore, there has to be a collective responsibility between The EFL and PGMOL to ensure we prepare our officials in the most appropriate way. The introduction of Select Group 2 will do this as we continue to look at ways of improving officiating standards.

"The expectations that were being placed on some our officials were exceptionally unfair, given the fact they may have been holding down a demanding full-time job during the week and then being asked to referee a game at the weekend that could have significant consequences for managers, players and supporters. Now, they will have the opportunity to meet regularly, share learnings and devote more time to their profession that will only serve to improve consistency on the pitch.

"The move to full time officials also presents us with a more long-term opportunity of supporting our ex-players and getting them back into the professional game by training as a match official. We all want refereeing to become a career and not just a job.”

He added: "It’s also important to stress that it’s our Clubs who have driven forward this initiative and they deserve great credit for identifying an issue and then being prepared to find - and fund - a solution that will have a positive impact on the game for many years to come. Each Championship club has committed to £50k worth of additional investment, meaning there is no requirement to find this money from our central funds.

"The 18 Select Group 2 officials will predominantly work across the Championship, but as part of the new PGMOL development programme it will allow an enhanced training programme for officials in League One and Two, ensuring all 72 of our clubs benefit.”

Commenting on the introduction of Select Group 2, Mike Riley said: "The PGMOL Board and management team are delighted that the introduction of Select Group 2 next season will assist in the development of officiating standards in the Championship and have a positive effect across the rest of the EFL competitions.

“The continued support from the EFL will allow us to improve our development programme and referees will now be able to meet every two weeks during the season. Those officials selected to form SG2 have been put through one of the most intensive and challenging evaluations in PGMOL history and since their selection earlier this year have been working towards ensuring they are fully prepared for the rigorous demands placed upon them as soon as the first ball is kicked this weekend.

"The Group will continue to benefit from the experience and leadership of David Allison. Dave will be supported by former SG1 referee Alan Wiley as senior coach. Alan will be able to share his vast expertise in helping develop a new generation of officials and this increase in commitment to the enhanced training programme will, over time, deliver the improvements that are required by clubs, managers, players and supporters.”

Alongside the announcement of Select Group 2, the EFL has clarified its referee and assistant appointment policy for season 2016/17. The restrictions mean match officials will not be eligible to participate in certain games if they:

- Reside in the same town or city as either club
- Have played for any of the participating clubs at youth, under-21 (reserve) or senior level
- Take an active interest in a club (season/match ticket currently or previously)
- Have personal connections with a participating club.

[Michael Morris]

The 18 referees

James Adcock

Qualified in 2000 aged 16, following in his father’s footsteps, who also officiated in the EFL. Adcock was appointed to the EFL as an assistant referee in 2008 and to the National List of Referees in 2011/12. In his five seasons at this level he has refereed over 150 EFL matches. He has also participated in the PGMO exchange programme which enable referees to gain experience of different football cultures. He has refereed games in America, Japan, China, Iceland and Denmark, enabling him to share experiences with international colleagues and learn new skills.

Peter Bankes

Began refereeing in Liverpool in 1996, aged 14. Bankes was subsequently appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2014, prior to which he spent two years as a Select Group Assistant Referee, which included his appointment to the FA Cup semi-final between Wigan Athletic and Millwall. He refereed the National League Play-Off Final at Wembley in 2014. In his two seasons on the Referees List he has overseen two Play-Off semi-finals and was the fourth official for the FA Vase Final at Wembley in May.

Darren Bond

Bond comes from a footballing family. After taking up the whistle at 15, he has progressed to the Select Group 2 referees list armed with 20 years of refereeing experience, which included a year as an assistant referee in the Premier League.

David Coote

A former Select Group assistant referee, Coote was appointed as an EFL referee in 2010. He has officiated at Wembley four times, and took charge of the FA Vase Final and League One Play-Off Final in 2014. As part of the PGMO exchange programme he has visited Japan, refereeing two senior matches and acting as fourth official in other games. A talented cricketer, David played cricket for Notts at various youth age groups, before committing to his refereeing career.

Andy Davies

A former player with a number of clubs at youth level, Davies capitalised on this experience to make a rapid rise through the refereeing ranks. He was appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2012/13 and since then has refereed over 100 EFL matches.

Scott Duncan

Duncan started his career as an EFL referee in 2012/13, taking charge of Port Vale versus Barnet. Since then he has refereed more than 100 matches, including both League One and League Two Play-Off semi-finals and a Southern Area Final of the EFL Trophy.

Geoff Eltringham

A talented footballer in his youth, Eltringham started refereeing aged 16. He was appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2009/10, and was the fourth official in the League Two Play-Off Final between Bradford City and Northampton Town 2013.

Simon Hooper

An EFL referee for eight years, Hooper has refereed over 100 Championship games. He took charge of the League Two Play-Off Final between Wycombe Wanderers and Southend United in May 2015.

Tony Harrington

Harrington began refereeing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance at the age of 14, having completed a basic refereeing course whilst at school as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award. After four years as an EFL assistant referee and four years as a National League referee, he was appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2012/13 and has now overseen more than 100 EFL matches.

Chris Kavanagh

Kavanagh started refereeing in 1998 at the age of 13. Sixteen years later, he was appointed to the EFL Referees List and has now refereed over 50 EFL matches, including more than 20 Championship games. As part of the PGMO development programme, he officiated in the Dallas Cup in 2014 and was appointed as the fourth official for the FA Vase Final at Wembley in 2015.

Oli Langford

Langford is a very experienced match official, with eight seasons as an EFL referee under his belt. As part of the PGMO development programme, he has officiated in the Dallas Cup and Algarve Cup. He has now refereed nearly 200 EFL matches.

James Linington

Linington is required to make the short trip over from his home on the Isle of Wight when appointed to EFL fixtures. He is a very experienced official having refereed in the EFL for nine seasons. In 2010, he was named fourth official for the FA Trophy Final at Wembley, and returned to the same stadium two weeks later to referee the League Two Play-Off Final between Dagenham and Redbridge and Rotherham United.

Andy Madley

After an injury playing at Huddersfield Town academy Andy took up the whistle in 2002 at the age of 18. His early career saw him appointed as the assistant referee for the League 1 Play-Off final between Millwall and Swindon Town in 2010. He also ran the line on the Premier League before becoming an EFL referee in 2011. He has twice refereed at Wembley, taking charge of the FA Vase Final in 2015 followed shortly afterwards by refereeing the League 1 Play-Off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town.

Steve Martin

Martin's father and grandfather were both EFL officials and encouraged him to take up the whistle in 2002. His rapid rise saw him appointed to the EFL assistant referee list in 2008 and to the National League referee list in the same year. After four years he became an EFL referee, and has since taken charge of more than 150 games. Notable appointments include last season’s League One Play-Off Final, where he was named as fourth official.

Tim Robinson

Robinson was appointed to the EFL Referees List for the start of the 2012/13 season, taking charge of his first game between Southend United and Accrington Stanley. He was the fourth official at Wembley for the League Two Play-Off Final between AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle in May 2016. As part of the development programme, he represented the PGMOL at the Dallas Cup 2012 and at the Nike Cup in China in 2012.

Jeremy Simpson

Simpson is a former international assistant referee, who officiated in many Champions League matches and other international fixtures. He opted for a career with the whistle after refereeing the 2012 National League Play-Off Final between York City and Luton Town. He was then appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2012/13 and in his four years on the list has refereed over 100 matches.

Keith Stroud

Stroud is a vastly experienced referee at this level. His career has seen him become an international FIFA assistant referee, and his highlights include running the line in the 2003 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Southampton. Stroud also served as a Premier League referee for two seasons before returning to the EFL in 2009/10.

Andy Woolmer

Woolmer was appointed to the Referees List in 2004 and has refereed more than 300 EFL matches. Prior to that, he served as a Premier League assistant referee for three years and ran the line in the 2003 League Cup Final and the FA Community Shield in the same year. He was the referee for last season’s thrilling EFL Trophy Final between Barnsley and Oxford United.

[the other bob wilson]

Just hope we don't get the truly dreadful David Coote too often.

[Llanedeyrnblue]

Just hope we don't get the truly dreadful David Coote too often.

Back in the day we had refs like Gurnham Singh who was useless,but at least he wasn't biased,he got things wrong for both sides. Nowadays we have refs that seem to ref games to influence results to their liking.

As for Coote Bob,have City got previous with him? Remind me when if we have

[the other bob wilson]

He was abysmal during our home defeat by Peterborough in the season we won the league. Peterborough deserved their 2-1 win, but their first goal was a direct result a free kick he gave them on the edge of our penalty area because of a high boot by Heidar Helguson when the Peterborough player concerned' foot was a foot or so higher!

He also did us out a draw at BIrmingham last season with a penalty decision against Matt Connolly which the television cameras showed to be wrong.

[Llanedeyrnblue]

He was abysmal during our home defeat by Peterborough in the season we won the league. Peterborough deserved their 2-1 win, but their first goal was a direct result a free kick he gave them on the edge of our penalty area because of a high boot by Heidar Helguson when the Peterborough player concerned' foot was a foot or so higher!

He also did us out a draw at BIrmingham last season with a penalty decision against Matt Connolly which the television cameras showed to be wrong.

I remember both incidents it was a definite free kick to us, am I right in thinking that Jimmy Bullard scored the goal,as for the Conolly penalty the ball hit him in the face

[Llanedeyrnblue]

I remember both incidents it was a definite free kick to us, am I right in thinking that Jimmy Bullard scored the goal,as for the Conolly penalty the ball hit him in the face

Just remembered he scored from the same sort of incident when he was on loan with Ipswich not the Posh

[lardy]

Back in the day we had refs like Gurnham Singh who was useless,but at least he wasn't biased,he got things wrong for both sides. Nowadays we have refs that seem to ref games to influence results to their liking.

As for Coote Bob,have City got previous with him? Remind me when if we have

Whenever there's talk of a shit ref, I always remember dear Gurnham

[Llanedeyrnblue]

Whenever there's talk of a shit ref, I always remember dear Gurnham

I felt sorry for him

[CCFC CASUAL]

Keith f*cking Stroud. How this useless gnome still refereeing let alone now being made a proffesional!?!?!?!

[the other bob wilson]

I remember both incidents it was a definite free kick to us, am I right in thinking that Jimmy Bullard scored the goal,as for the Conolly penalty the ball hit him in the face

The goal was scored by a midfielder cum centreback who they signed from Stevenage - I always used to buy him in Football Manager for us and he developed into a good Premier League player, but I can't for the life of me remember his name now!

I left it a few minutes in the hope his name would come to me, but it didn't, so I looked it up - Michael Bostwick!