New Premier League officials

[The Ginger Ref]

I noticed there had been a wave of new officials in the Premier League over the last few weeks, my thoughts were confirmed to see there had been 6 "new" (non select group referees) appointments this season.

Is this normal to see so many new appointments? Is it a reflection of the current standard of officiating at the top level? Or are they trying to increase the number of top level referees due to the heavy load of fixtures?

Also interesting to see the return of Bobby Madley (this may have been done to death on this forum as he returned in 2022).

Lewis Smith: Who is the Premier League's newest referee?

We take a look at the 30-year-old following his top-flight debut after he took charge of Fulham v Aston Villa

www.premierleague.com

 

[JamesL]

It's not normal but will be the new normal. There is a drive to reduce the amount of time it takes too refs to get to the top.
These referees are part of an Elite development group who are being given games above their level to test them as part of their development

 

[santa sangria]

Fingers crossed it goes well for Bobby M. Had the privilege to meet him a few years ago. Very bright and engaging guy. Hopefully will be a positive story.

 

[DJIC]

Not sure how HW makes room for new officials, of current SG1 only Graham Scott (55) you could consider coming to the end of his career at the top level.

Been mentioned before how do you demote referees from full time employment? Easier when they were all part-time & had other occupations outside of football.

 

[RefereeX]

Not sure how HW makes room for new officials, of current SG1 only Graham Scott (55) you could consider coming to the end of his career at the top level.

Been mentioned before how do you demote referees from full time employment? Easier when they were all part-time & had other occupations outside of football.

Perhaps ease the work load of the current SG1 crop while also allowing them to do extra championship games here and there, which they already do.

 

[RustyRef]

Not sure how HW makes room for new officials, of current SG1 only Graham Scott (55) you could consider coming to the end of his career at the top level.

Been mentioned before how do you demote referees from full time employment? Easier when they were all part-time & had other occupations outside of football.

They just dangle a couple of slightly different carrot varieties. The first might be step down to SG2 or you will get nothing but 4th official appointments, the second, which has seemingly been used in the past, is to offer them a coaching or management role, an offer that has a very short lived shelf life. i.e. they step down there and then otherwise there's no guarantee that offer will still be on the table.

 

[cwyeary]

Not sure how HW makes room for new officials, of current SG1 only Graham Scott (55) you could consider coming to the end of his career at the top level.

Been mentioned before how do you demote referees from full time employment? Easier when they were all part-time & had other occupations outside of football.

The most assigned refs in the other top leagues get 19 to 23 top flight centers a season. Three in the PL hit 30 last season. There's plenty of room to add new blood without the need for refs to step down.

You also have the fact that the Championship is the only major 2nd tier without var. If in the near future that league finally adopts it, having a bunch of refs who have been at the top level and interacted with VAR would be helpful.