25 year old ref makes it to the Select Group
Source: Daily Telegraph, 25 June 2008 17:55
Written by Rod
Gilmour
The
Football Association's ‘Respect’ campaign will take on a new
meaning next season when Stuart Attwell makes the
giant leap from Sunday league to Super Sunday next
season.
It will be more of a case of 'respect your
youngsters' after 25-year-old Attwell was promoted to the Premier
League's select group of
referees.
Nun
eaton-based Attwell will be the
youngest ever official to reach
English football's top tier and beats
the previous mark set by Mark
Clattenburg, who was 29 when he
made the grade in
2004.
His rise to the top is a marked contrast from the NIC
Nuneaton Sunday League where he has been officiating since his
teenage years and had earned his respect amongst Warwickshire
officials.
He moved to the Midland Combination, Southern League and
Nationwide Conference before securing his status in the Football
League last season, as one of nine referees who were
added.
His debut came last August in a match featuring Hereford
and Rotherham and ended with the League Two play-off final between
Rochdale and Stockport at Wembley.
It was interspersed with an April clash between Barnsley
and Hull when Dean Windass came on as a substitute and scored
within a minute.
It was also to be his first glimpse of refereeing a
Premier League side, albeit with an ageing striker in their
ranks.
Attwell should be well versed when it comes to feigned
injuries and experienced Premier League stars looking to get out of
a booking. He has a degree in sports science and also works for UK
Sport.
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