TWENTY-SEVEN Suffolk officials have either received promotion or a nomination to The FA.

The referees have received the good news ahead of next season which is a result of their on-field performances which are measured by both referee observations and marks submitted by clubs.

The scheduled end to the 2019-20 season was due to be on April 30th 2020. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the decision for grassroots football to be suspended beyond this date, the promotion season has now been concluded and referees can be reclassified.

Compared to last season, Suffolk football has seen an increase of 59 per cent in the total number of grassroots referees receiving an elevation to the next level.

Included in this group are Level 7 to 6, Level 6 to 5 and Level 5 to 4 nominations as well as Suffolk’s first ever nomination solely within the Women’s pathway from Level 3W to 2W.

Suffolk FA Senior Referee Development Officer Alan Dale said: “Receiving a promotion is a significant milestone within a referee’s career.

“On behalf of everyone at Suffolk FA, I’d like to pass on our congratulations to them all. Their promotion is a reflection of their high levels of performance and commitment throughout the season and I wish them all the very best in the next stage of their careers.”

Full List of Successful Candidates

Level 7 to 6 – Matches remain outside of the National Legue System – Martin Avis (West Suffolk), Kieren Bedford (West Suffolk), Peter Biggs (Ipswich), Vasile Boaru (Ipswich), Liam Botten (West Suffolk), Jak Clark (Lowestoft), Aidan Dunne (West Suffolk), Ben Greenbank (West Suffolk), Gareth Hayler (Ipswich), Joshua Holland (Lowestoft), Chris Humphrey (Ipswich), Tom Ling (Ipswich), Mark Paget (Mid-Suffolk), Anthony Reeve (West Suffolk) and Christopher Swiader (Ipswich).

Level 6 to 5 – Referee for Step 7 and below – Geoffrey Fisk (Mid-Suffolk), Chris Fuller (Brandon), Nik Johnston (Lowestoft), Chris Perkins (West Suffolk) and Kahlan Sannerude (Lowestoft).

Level 5 to 4 – Referee for Step 5 and Step 6 (Eastern Counties League) / Assistant Referee for Step 3 and Step 4 (Nomination to The FA) – Liam Chinery (Mid-Suffolk), Adrian Copsey (West Suffolk), Kevin Harrington (Mid-Suffolk), Matthew Oakley (Leiston), Alex Shipp (Ipswich) and Chris Whitley (Ipswich).

Level 3W to 2W (Nomination to The FA) – Orla Devaney (West Suffolk).

Three of the referees are pictured above when they officiated at last season’s Suffolk Boys’ Under-18 Midweek Cup Final at Portman Road. They are (left to right) Jak Clark (Promoted to Level 6), Liam Chinery (Nominated to Level 4), Daniel Frost and Tom Ling (Promoted to Level 6).