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The promotion of Oxfordshire official Graham Scott and retirement of long serving top flight official Chris Foy means there are a few changes to the Select Group for the forthcoming campaign. Here we profile the guys who will be taking charge of the 380 Premier League fixtures in the 2015/16 season.
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Highly experienced FIFA Elite referee who was promoted to the Select Group in 2005. He is now widely considered to be one of the top referees in Europe, having taken charge of last season's Europa League final. This is set to be a very important season for Atkinson as he will be hoping to secure his place at next year's Euro's, but he's got some competition...
Mark Clattenburg
Clattenburg is the other English option for Euro 2016. He is widely regarded by the media as England's leading official, but his domestic appointments last season seem to indicate his bosses would prefer to see Atkinson in France next summer. No doubt we will see Clattenburg on some of the biggest Premier League and International fixtures over the coming months, but will he or Atkinson secure selection to the Euros?
Mike Dean
One of the most experienced referees on the list having been promoted to the Select Group as soon as it was formed in 2001. He's ex-international and is often entrusted with some of the Premier League fiercest rivalries.
Phil Dowd
There are question marks over whether Dowd will actually officiate next season. He hasn't taken charge of a Premier League game since he was substituted at half time at The Hawthorns in February. Dowd now must pass his fitness test in order to continue officiating top level football, or he'll be forced into retirement. |
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Whilst East is a relatively new addition to the Select Group, he has plenty of experience. Aged 50, he has years of experience in the Football League, and has even acted as Assistant Referee on the FA Cup Final. Now in the middle, East will be looking to build on his solid campaign last season.
Kevin Friend
A mixed bag from Friend last season saw him miss out on any major appointments, having taken charge of the League Cup final the season before. However, it will be interesting to see if the PGMOL utilise him more given the low number of officials on the Select Group. Perhaps he could be entrusted with some of the bigger games.
Mike Jones
Another vastly experienced official, 47 year old Jones spent years in the Football League before eventually getting his top flight break in 2008. Like Friend, last season was very much up and down, with Jones' decision to booked Sergio Aguero for simulation against Southampton dubbed the 'worst decision ever' by some. He will be hoping for a quieter campaign this time round.
Robert Madley
The youngest referee on the list at 29, this will be Madley's 3rd season as a top flight referee. He hasn't made much progress since his promotion to the Select Group, having only played a bit part role for the last 2 seasons. Perhaps this is Bobby's time to show everybody what he can do.
Andre Marriner
Marriner took charge of his first Premier League fixture in 2005 and has held his FIFA badge since 2007. He was widely considered a safe pair of hands for the top games and was appointed to referee the 2013 FA Cup Final, but a series of controversies and errors since then seems to have deflated his status.
Lee Mason
Another name we are used to seeing in the top flight. Elevated to the Select Group in 2006, Mason is now one of the most experiences Premier League officials along with the likes of Martin Atkinson. He may be setting his sight on getting a final this year, with just the Championship Play Off final to boast on his major final list at present.
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Jon Moss
Last season's FA Cup Final referee, Jon Moss, will be hoping for another successful season. The Sunderland born official is viewed as a safe pair of hands for most Premier League fixtures by PGMOL bosses and, along with Atkinson, received the most appointments in the Premier League last season. We could see Moss tested with some of the top games in the Premier League this season. |
Now 30, Oliver is making huge strides both domestically and internationally, and it seems inevitable that he will become England's number one referee at some point. He'll be hoping for more of the same this campaign, there will undoutedly be more tests and big games heading his way, and perhaps we could see him making his Champions League debut soon.
Craig Pawson
Promoted at the same time as Robert Madley, it seems Craig Pawson has found settling into life in the Select Group comparatively easy. The South Yorkshire official now holds a FIFA badge as was appointed 4th official to Jon Moss in the FA Cup final last season. Could be one to watch this season.
Lee Probert
Probert's campaign last season was blighted with injury, with the FIFA listed official only returning to top flight action late in the season. He'll be hoping for a run of games early on the build some momentum and return to the form that saw him rewarded with the FA Cup Final.
Graham Scott
Here's the new boy, 47-year-old Graham Scott of Oxfordshire. He seemingly went largely undetected in the Football League, but he must have done something right as he is now considered one of the top 16 referees in the country. Scott was entrusted with Burnley v Aston Villa and replaced Phil Dowd on West Brom v Southampton last season, and is sure to pick up more Premier League games this term now he officially joins the list.
Neil Swarbrick
Experienced Neil Swarbrick now enters his 5th season as a Select Group referee, having been promoted from the Football League in 2011. Probably one of the least well known officials, but seems to go about his business with little fuss or controversy. His experience might be utilised more this season than previously.
Anthony Taylor
Finally, one of the rising stars of English refereeing, Anthony Taylor. The 36-year-old was promoted to FIFA's 1st category last season and is seemingly popular with UEFA. At home, we could see him take charge of more of the top games this season after impressing last term in games such as Arsenal v Liverpool. Could be a challenger to Michael Oliver for England's #1 spot in the future.
What are your thoughts on this season's Select Group? Let us know in the comment section below!