First Wembley refereeing appointment for Peterborough-based official and a new manager for Northampton Town
Peterborough-born referee Josh Smith has been rewarded for a strong season with a Wembley appointment.
Smith will take charge of the League One play-off final between Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County at the national stadium on Sunday, May 24.
The referee who started officiating in the Peterborough & District Junior Alliance League aged 14 is a regular at Championship level and has refereed six Premier League matches. It will be the first time he has refereed at Wembley though.
Smith, who still lives locally, refereed the second leg of Stockport County’s semi-final win over Stevenage when he played an outstanding advantage in the build-up to the opening goal.
Northampton Town have appointed Chris Hogg as their manager for a 2026-27 campaign in League Two. Hogg is a former assistant manager at Oxford United, Bristol City and Norwich City, but has never been a manager at Football League level.