Meet The Ref - Latics v Bournemouth - Bobby Madley

This weekends Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth 3rd round FA cup tie will be refereed by West Yorkshire based official Robert Madley, the Wakefield whistleblower is commonly known as 'Bobby'

At just 27, Madley is one of the youngest ref's on the Football League circuit, he acted as an assistant in the Premier League between 2009 and 2010 before branching out to take charge of his first Football League game on 27th August 2011, he officiated at Deepdale when Preston beat Notts County 2-0 in a League One game.

In a recent interview Bobby explained how he got into refereeing:

How did you get in to Refereeing?

I had played for a Championship team`s School of Excellence and didn`t quite make the grade. I returned to playing for my local junior team, Ossett Town, but had become a little disillusioned with the game. I was advised to take the referees course which I did, along with my brother Andy who came to keep me company. I was 16 when I took the course and at 23 I was promoted onto the Premier League as an Assistant Referee. Andy was promoted onto Premier League list as an Assistant Referee a year later. I think we would both agree that taking the course was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

What level do you currently officiate at?

I am currently in my 2nd year as a Level 1 referee. This allows me to referee on the nPower Football League taking charge of games in the Championship, League 1 and League 2.

Wigan Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
Referee Robert Madley
Assistants Gary Beswick & Danny Gratton
Fourth Official David Coote

Robert Madley Card Watch 2012/13

Games - 18
Yellows - 47
Reds - 3


















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