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Premier League appoints youngest ever ref

  • 25-06-2008 8:31am
    #1
    Xavi6
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,909 ✭✭✭✭


    http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/football/article-1029196/Rookie-ref-Attwell-secures-shock-promotion-Premier-League.html?ITO=1490
    Rookie ref Attwell secures shock promotion to the Premier League

    The Premier League will have the youngest referee in its history next season.

    At just 25, little-known Stuart Attwell is also thought to be the youngest ever official to reach the top flight of English football.

    It is a meteoric rise for the Warwickshire referee in that it comes after just one season in the Football League.

    Attwell's shock promotion was confirmed to Sportsmail last night by Professional Game Match Officials as he joins Keith Hackett's select group for the new season.

    He is the new record holder by the considerable margin of four years. Mark Clattenburg was 29 when he become the previous youngest in 2004.

    Hackett has long been committed to bringing officials through earlier, effectively lengthening a career that lasts only to the age of 48 but also allowing referees to operate at a high level when their fitness is at its peak.

    Hackett also wants a balance between experience and youth. Michael Jones — a second League referee promoted for Premiership duty yesterday — is a seasoned campaigner of 40.

    But the spotlight will fall on Nuneaton-based Attwell. He made his League debut on August 11 last season at Edgar Street for a League Two game between Hereford and Rotherham and ended the campaign by taking charge of the League Two play-off final at Wembley between Rochdale and Stockport.

    Attwell has a degree in sports science and works for UK Sport.

    So what do we think?

    Is it merely a ploy to market the idea of becoming a ref to young kids?

    Will he be able to handle Fergie's hair drier treatment or the inevitable up close and personal bollocking from JT?

    I'm not sure if he'll make it past Christmas tbh, especially considering he hasn't even done a championship game yet.


Comments

  • #2
    CHD
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,956 ✭✭✭CHD


    He's there because he is good at what he does.He will be grand.


  • #3
    _blank_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    This can only end in tears.


  • #4
    BaZmO*
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭BaZmO*


    DesF wrote: »
    This can only end in tears.

    DesF, the Soccer Forum's eternal optimist!


  • #5
    Pepe LeFrits
    Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 15,001 ✭✭✭✭Pepe LeFrits


    Has Arsene Wenger been added to the selection panel?

    Anyway, if he is good enough, he’s old enough… but whether he’s good enough seems questionable.

    Howard Webb is only 36 though and he’s a great referee.


  • #6
    _blank_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Pepe LeFrits wrote: »
    Howard Webb is only 36 though and he’s a great referee.

    Danny Mills was sent home from the Euros after the group stages for being shít.


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  • #7
    gucci
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,283 ✭✭✭gucci


    How many refs are on the panel?
    Is Rennie still on it?

    Good luck to Attwell, its not going to be easy for him, as I'm sure some will try to intimidate him, its hard to know if they would have been better give him another year or two before bringing him up to the Premier League, but having never seen him ref a game I cant really speculate how good or bad he will be.


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