28th January 2009
The GFA are pleased to advise that Phil Sharpe is coming to speak to GFA Registered Referees on Monday 2nd February 2009. The talk will take place at the GFA Headquarters commencing at 8.00pm, please make every effort to attend.
Philip Sharp is a Premier League assistant referee and one of only 10 match officials from the United Kingdom to have officiated in a FIFA World Cup Final.
Phil first played football for East Barnet School but became a referee via the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme in order to fulfill the Service in the Community component of the course. He gained his apprenticeship through the Hertfordshire County League before gaining promotion onto the Southern Football League middle from where he was promoted to Panel Referee for two seasons before being promoted as an Assistant Referee to the Football League and, finally, the Premier League. He was selected to run the line at the 1999 FA Challenge Cup Final. He currently referees on the national Contributory List of match referees.
Phil was promoted to the FIFA list of match officials on January 1, 1997, being appointed to his first international (in Budapest) in the Summer of that year. His progression, internationally, was exceptional being appointed to hold the flag in the opening game of his first senior tournament, the year 2000 European Championship and the semi-final of that tournament. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup Sharp was appointed to five games in total, including the Croatia v Italy match and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final between Germany and Brazil. As such he was England's second successive match official at a Final match, Mark Warren having been the Assistant Referee at the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final.
Phil Sharp was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2004 Olympic Games football tournament and represented England at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
Phil is currently the Referees Development Officer for Hertfordshire Football Association.
23rd January 2009
Graham Skuse on 40 years in refereeing......
To see what Graham Skuse had to say about his 40 years in refereeing when interviewed by The Football Association click here