SUFFOLK official George Byrne has been promoted to the National List of Assistant Referees.

The 26-year-old, who will be acting as an assistant referee on the Football League, heads up the list of promotions among Suffolk officials for next season.

George, who lives in Mildenhall, said: “I became a referee 12 years ago as a 14 year old. My Dad used to act as club linesman for my Youth team and encouraged me to become a referee. I qualified through the Bury St Edmunds Referees’ Association during the summer holidays.

“After originally becoming a referee to earn pocket money, so I didn't have to take on a paper round, it quickly became my dream to officiate in professional football – something I could never achieve as a player. 

“This promotion is the result of 10 years’ hard work and commitment and makes me immensely proud.”

As well as being an assistant referee on the Football League, George (pictured above, second left) will also combine this with refereeing matches in the Contributory League system, which covers leagues within Step 3 to Step 5 of the non-league pyramid.

Suffolk promotions are as follows:

Panel Select Assistant Referee to National List Assistant Referee

George Byrne

Level 4 (Supply League Referee) to Level 3 (Contributory League Referee)

Jordan Sandwell

Level 5 (Senior County Referee) to Level 4 (Supply League Referee)

Emily Heaslip
Dion Thorpe

Level 6 (County Referee) to Level 5 (Senior County Referee)

Bradley Fisher
Ian Hardy
Kevin Harrington
Chay Hathway
Adrian Kersey
Dean Knight
Gavin Roberts 

Level 7 (Junior Referee) to Level 6 (County Referee)

Regan Bradshaw
Mark Howard
Rian Staddon
Mark Warden