Rebecca Welch makes more football history as Sheffield referee Tom Bramall wins promotion

Rebecca Welch, who made history officiating Harrogate Town last season, has been promoted to the pool of Football League referees for 2021-22, whilst Sheffield's Tom Bramall will join the group of officials who concentrate on Championship football.
By Stuart Rayner
Published 21st Jun 2021, 16:45 BST
Updated 21st Jun 2021, 17:09 BST

Welch is the first female referee appointed to the National Group list for men’s professional football.

She made her Football League debut in April, taking charge of Harrogate's game against Port Vale, and was praised for her handling of the game by Sulphurites manager Simon Weaver.

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Bramall has been promoted to the "Select 2 Group", which is essentially the Championship referees, after only three seasons as a Football League referee, the second of them badly affected by an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in pre-season.

PROMOTION: Rebecca Welch speaks to harrogate Town's Connor Hall on her Football League debutPROMOTION: Rebecca Welch speaks to harrogate Town's Connor Hall on her Football League debut
PROMOTION: Rebecca Welch speaks to harrogate Town's Connor Hall on her Football League debut

Bramall made his Championship debut in March.

John Busby joins him in the Select Group 2 pool, whilst Andrew Kitchen, Tom Reeves and Simon Mather, who put in a controversial performance refereeing Sunday's Conference play-off final, join Welch on the wider list.

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Related topics:SheffieldFootball LeagueSimon WeaverSulphurites

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