RateTheRef

Expecting Kirk and Hallam to get massive games, possibly one of them for the L1 final.

Would I be optimistic to suggest Bramall for a Second Leg in the Championship? Possibly Barrott as well, but that one wouldn’t be as optimistic. Gillett for the final would be my immediate thinking. Pawson could be another one for a Second Leg with the great season he seems to be having.

Carney, James, Nelson, Graham are all assistants I’d expect to see in the first legs of the Championship. One of the Smiths for the first legs, alongside either Hallam or Kirk (whichever they don’t have lined up for a final, if any). Martin, Donohue, Herczeg and Nield for 4O gigs possibly. I expect to see Kitchen somewhere with the big boys despite the unfortunate fall from grace after Hallam and Kirk came swooping in like hawks.

Reeves, Parsons, Speedie and Finnie I’d expect to see involved somewhere. Finnie got the L2 final last year, so he will probably hand the baton to one of the other 3 or another high-flyer in the National List. Likewise, they could go for a member of the Supplementary List for the L2 final, no idea where they will fit in as this is the first time we have them for the playoffs!

Lehane, Bartlett and Cresswell are assistants I’d expect to see flying high in the playoffs as well.

Just as a reminder Kitchen did League 1 final last year and Finnie did League 2, so nothing seems to be guaranteed with a final appointment.

Championship: Gillett
L1: Hallam/Kirk
L2: (shrug)

Reeves for the L2 final for me.

I agree with the other two

Looking at the PL appointments for this weekend, for me the two notable absentees from on field duties are Michael Oliver and Sam Barrott so I do wonder if they are in line for the Championship second legs.

Oliver at The Den and Barrott on the South Coast is my guess.

League One Play Off Semi Finals

Saturday 9th May 2026

Bolton Wanderers FC (First Team) v Bradford City FC (First Team)
Football League 1   
Referee: Coy, Martin
Assistant Referee: Simpson, Joe
Assistant Referee: Woodward, Daniel
Fourth Official: Rock, David
Reserve Assistant Referee: Taylor, Grant

Stevenage FC (First Team) v Stockport County FC (First Team)
Football League 1   
Referee: Breakspear, Charles
Assistant Referee: Wilson, Marc
Assistant Referee: Webb, Michael
Fourth Official: Brook, Carl
Reserve Assistant Referee: Howick, Kevin

Wednesday 13th May 2026

Stockport County FC (First Team) v Stevenage FC (First Team)
Football League 1   
Referee: Smith, Josh
Assistant Referee: Lewis, Sam
Assistant Referee: Williams, Darren
Fourth Official: Herczeg, Adam Langford, Oliver
Reserve Assistant Referee: Carney, Emily

Thursday 14th May 2026

Bradford City FC (First Team) v Bolton Wanderers FC (First Team)
Football League 1   
Referee: Kirk, Thomas
Assistant Referee: Leach, Daniel
Assistant Referee: Lugg, Nigel
Fourth Official: Langford, Oliver Herczeg, Adam
Reserve Assistant Referee: Brown, Conor Clayton, Samuel

Ward at Hull… that’ll please few, certainly from an away contingent.

Farai Hallam with a well deserved game playoff game at Middlesborough.

Could be a big test for Barrott at the Den and surprised to see Madley at Southampton given he has an important one at Fulham on Saturday.

All the best to all the officials.

Madley, Hopton and Taylor working together on a Play Off Semi 2nd Leg two years running.

They did the Sunderland v Coventry fixture last season.