RateTheRef

For me based off these appointments.

Championship: J Gillett
L1: L Smith
L2: T Reeves

Sg2 referees wondering what they've done wrong for wars together a game before then! Dog awful.referee , fingers crossed noone is daft enough to give hom a final

Happy with that although I expected Kirk on the L1 final. Struggle to see how it can be anyone other than Lewis Smith now considering VAR is in use

I think they seem quite happy to give VAR non-regulars the opportunity given that Ben Toner and (I think) Will Finnie have had playoff finals in recent years. I guess they’ll have a short crash course and of course they’ll have an experienced voice in their ear.

Quote from: olliebcafc on Tue 05 May 2026 11:15

Happy with that although I expected Kirk on the L1 final. Struggle to see how it can be anyone other than Lewis Smith now considering VAR is in use

I think they seem quite happy to give VAR non-regulars the opportunity given that Ben Toner and (I think) Will Finnie have had playoff finals in recent years. I guess they’ll have a short crash course and of course they’ll have an experienced voice in their ear.

Tom Nield has also had it with VAR in operation.

I hear loud groans from accross the river humber.
Good appointment for Richard Woodward who seems to moving up the ladder as quickly as he drove his patrol car when in pursuit.

Sensible sg1 appointments for second leg ties in the championship.

Reckon finals will be Gillett, L Smith and Reeves as others have posted.
But for injury think Harrington, Hooper and Brooks would have been in with a shout.

Showing your age Hendo!!!
That was pre SG2 which changed the landscape somewhat

Good choices in L1 semi finals.

Experience with Martin Coy and Charles Breakspear and then strong SG2 with Josh Smith and Tom Kirk.

Does that rule Tom Kirk out the L1 final? It probably does I’d imagine. If Hallam is unlikely due to having the FA trophy, then is possible we could see Lewis Smith?

No real surprises in L2 in my opinion. I’d say Tom Reeves is the favourite for the final there.

While there were still some Covid restictions in place, Tony Harrington was appointed to the FA Trophy and League One finals in May 2021. The 2023 and 2024 League One finals had a referee that was appointed to a Championship first leg. Andrew Kitchen didn't follow that trend last year although that could have been due to Sunderland's presence in the Championship play offs. I wouldn't rule out Farai Hallam but Lewis Smith is a good call though.

In recent years the League Two finals have gone to National List referees with some Championship experience. Along with Tom Reeves others in contention would include Benjamin Speedie and Elliott Bell.

Part of me suspects Lewis Smith is in contention for a final as his usual assistant Alex James is also nowhere to be seen.

Also, Lewis Smith did have a complete dead rubber at Hillsborough on Saturday and wasn’t anywhere close to the spotlight which could also mean playoff final involvement.