SUFFOLK’S Jon Block is to get his first experience of officiating at Football League level.

The 33-year-old will be an Assistant Referee at the Charlton Athletic versus Sutton United match at The Valley in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening.

Jon, who lives near Bury St Edmunds, has been a specialist Assistant Referee since 2016.

As a Step 1 Assistant Referee he officiates on the Vanarama National League and the Premier League 2, which replaced the Under-21 Premier League.

The fixture provides Jon, who had to pass a fitness test to be considered, with a development opportunity.

Jon said: “I am really pleased to get the opportunity to step up to the next level.”

Jon was an Assistant Referee at the 2021-22 Suffolk Premier Cup Final at Colchester United between Needham Market and Leiston. He is pictured above (far right) on the line.

He had previously refereed the Suffolk Senior Cup Final between Whitton United and Long Melford at Portman Road in the 2011-12 season.

He also refereed in the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup Final featuring Lowestoft Town and Haverhill Rovers at Needham Market FC in 2009-10.

He was an Assistant Referee at the 2008-09 Suffolk Primary Cup Final at Walsham-le-Willows in which Redgrave Rangers played Salvation Army.

And before that he was an Assistant Referee on the Suffolk Under-15 Minor Cup Final between Cornard United and Cockfield United at Long Melford FC in the 2007-08 season.

Jon has been a coach as part of The FA CORE Programme since 2016, supporting upcoming match officials with the ability and potential to progress to higher levels of the game.

He is currently coaching four Suffolk FA officials within this Programme, assisting them with their development.

Jon also led the Suffolk FA CORE Programme between 2019-23, providing talented and ambitious match officials with coaching support and development opportunities.

Suffolk FA Chief Executive Richard Neal said: “This appointment is great for Jon, and rich reward for his hard work and dedication over many years to reach this level.

“What’s also striking about Jon is his enthusiasm for helping others coming through the system, as demonstrated by his previous role as Suffolk FA CORE Head Coach and continuing participation with Suffolk officials part of the national CORE programme.

“Hopefully this exposure acts as a prelude to similar appointments in the future.”