TOP REF

Howard Webb's father, himself a referee, told his son about a referee's course and the rest, as they say, is history.

35 years old, former policeman, Howard hails from Rotherham and has been refereeing for 17 years. His career started in the local Rotherham Leagues before he joined the Northern Counties East League as an assistant referee. Within 2 seasons he was refereeing those games and the following year was promoted to the Football League. He was soon to be found refereeing in the Football Conference and running the line in the Premiership.

In the year 2000 he found himself refereeing in the Football League and three years later he was on the list of Premiership referees. And that season he found himself at the Millennium Stadium refereeing the Second Division Play-Off Final between Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers. In August 2005 he returned to The Millennium Stadium when he took charge of the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Howard, who is a member of the Rotherham Referee's Association, was nominated for FIFA International status in January 2005 taking charge of his first International game last November - the friendly one all draw between Northern Ireland and Portugal in Belfast.

When asked who was his favourite footballer of all time he replied 'Rotherham United legend, Ronnie Moore (and what a manager!)'

Howard Webb can be seen officiating at the Manchester United v Chelsea game this Sunday on Sky Sports One - kick-off 1600

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