​Long-serving local referees are honoured in front of Premier League officials

By Alan Swann
Published 16th May 2024, 12:00 BST
The local referees who received long-service awards.The local referees who received long-service awards.
The local referees who received long-service awards.
Long-standing members of the local refereeing community have been rewarded for their outstanding service to local football.

​Trevor Mitchell (Lincs FA), Mike Hair (Hunts FA), Martin Butterly (Northants FA), Stewart Francis (Cambs FA) and Dave Stapleton (Hunts FA) were all honoured at a ceremony at Bushfield Sports Centre.

The Peterborough Referees Association (PRA) held a special day recently with Premier League match official Steve Meredith spending a full day visiting local schools along with local referees Sarah Tonks and Stewart Francis, as well as PRA chairman Robert Windle.

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The day started at Lime Academy in Parnwell followed by Kings (The Cathedral) School, Sir Harry Smith Community College and finally New Road Primary School.

Referees and pupils at New Road Primary School. Photo: RWT PhotographyReferees and pupils at New Road Primary School. Photo: RWT Photography
Referees and pupils at New Road Primary School. Photo: RWT Photography

In the evening over 70 young referees and parents attended Bushfield Sports Centre for a training evening in preparation for the Peterborough Junior Alliance Cup Finals which took place last weekend.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Junior Alliance, Peterborough-based EFL Referee Neil Hair, Premier League Referee Josh Smith from Bourne and long serving Ex-Premier League/FIFA Assistant referee Dave Bryan from Stamford.

Smith took charge of the Championship play-off semi-final between Norwich and Leeds last weekend.

Related topics:Premier LeagueNorthants FA