Rebecca Welch has become the first female to referee an entire match in the English Football League!
The 37-year-old will supervise the Harrogate Town v Port Vale match on Monday 5th April (2021).
“I’m still trying to let it sink in. I got the news on Saturday and haven’t come back down to earth yet. I’m very fortunate to have been given this opportunity and I’m really excited about it,” Rebecca told Sky Sports News.
Although Amy Fearn was the first woman to referee part of a men’s EFL game during the Championship match between Coventry and Nottingham Forest in 2010, Amy came on as a second-half injury replacement. Rebecca however, will be refereeing the entire game, from beginning to end.
“It’s not something I thought that, when I decided to be a referee 11 years ago, I would be in the Football League doing a game. That didn’t even register on my radar,”she said.
Rebecca continued, “I’ve always said, through all my promotions, I want to be appointed because I am in the top 10 match officials on that list. I never want to be appointed based on anything else. I’ve got faith in the system, and I’ve been rewarded.”
This referee is certainly an inspiration to many girls out there!
Due to Coronavirus restrictions, the Harrogate Town v Port Vale match will take place without fans.
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