Referee Recognition Awards handed out at Wembley

The Referee Recognition Awards were handed out at Wembley last night, with several officials recognised for their efforts.

There were 170 people in attendance at the event, with FA Cup Final referee Andy Madley and Women's FA Cup Final assistant referee Nicoletta Bria also conducting a Q&A about their refereeing journey.

International caps were awarded to Ali Chapman, Peter Bankes, Tony Leake, Mo Matadar, Helen Fulcher and Jake Colin to mark their time on the international list.

Steve Bradford picked up Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing and Refereeing in the Community awards for his service to the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA.

Steve's passion for grassroots football and refereeing was highlighted, with several young players and officials also produced under his watch. In 25 years he has never taken a fee and only recently set up a fund to support and pay for referees who can't afford the course.

Ernie Broughton, 84, received a Lifetime Achievement award after over 50 years of service as a referee in the Lincolnshire FA.

He continues to officiate junior football.

Jessica Hodgson won Newcomer of the Year, having grown in confidence and stature as an official this year.

Now aged 15, she qualified as a referee for the Devon FA as a 14-year-old and was rewarded for her fine efforts.

Jack Daniel is a goalkeeper who received a Club Recognition award after combining duties as a player at under-15 level and official for younger teams for the Birmingham FA.

Jack is autistic and life as a referee has helped his social skills and confidence.

Paige Gowans-Smith received an Inspirational Role Model of the Year prize for her sterling work as a volunteer coach and match official within the Hertfordshire FA.

Paige played football to a high standard and travelled to USA at the age of 17 to pursue her dream but when injuries curtailed her own career she committed to giving others the best chance.

Receiving multiple nominations in the Sheffield & Hallamshire region, Thomas Green won Refereeing in the Community and Outstanding Contribution to Refereeing awards.

Thomas is autistic and has been dealing with personal issues over the last year but is well regarded in the area as an exceptionally talented and fair referee.

Lorraine Humm took home the Championing Diversity Award after refereeing regularly in the Kent Disability League despite undergoing surgery on an injury suffered playing in the league herself.

A dedicated official, Lorraine brilliantly represents female disability referees.

The Refereeing Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Tom Viles, who has taken on a role as a Youth Referee mentor for the Derbyshire FA.

Tom has given up a huge amount of free time to assist the development of young officials and introduced fresh ideas to engage with referees across the county.

April Wood won the Positive Environment award, rewarded for her tireless commitment to improving the experience for officials in the Westmorland FA.

Not a referee herself, April took the Welfare Officer course to improve her understanding of how to help create a more supportive atmosphere.

Wendy Toms received the Special Recognition Award.

Wendy was the first female to be appointed as a fourth official in a Football league game in 1991 and six years later became the first woman to officiate in a Premier League match as assistant referee in Southampton v Crystal Palace.

In 1999, she led the first all-female team of officials to take charge of a senior men's fixture, Kidderminster Harriers v Nuneaton Borough in the Conference.

She concluded her 5-year stint on the FIFA list by officiating France vs Italy at the 2005 UEFA Women's Championship.

There were also a number of nominees who were highly commended at the awards.

Dillon Buckley was received a nod in the Outstanding Contribution To Refereeing, while Paul Daniel was commended in the Lifetime achievement Award.

Owen Shadbolt was noted for the Newcome of the year prize and Ian Moore was in the running for the Inspirational Role Model of the Year gong.

Thomas Halloway was commended in the Championing Diversity award, while Katie Knights and Mark Banbridge were both acknowledged in Positive Environment award.

Tracy Jackson and Charlie Ransley were both applauded for their efforts in the referee Volunteer Support of the Year prize and Danny Carr was noted in the Club Recognition award section.

Congratulations to all winners.