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Four new officials will operate in next season’s Premier League after they were promoted by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).
Referee Tom Bramall, as well as assistant referees Natalie Aspinall, Nick Greenhalgh and Steve Meredith, will now join Select Group 1 from the 2022/23 campaign.
Tom Bramall
The 32-year-old is the fifth referee to be promoted to the Premier League in the past two seasons.
Bramall, registered with Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, has been operating as an official in the EFL since the 2014/15 campaign, while he was the man in the middle for this season’s FA Trophy final.
Natalie Aspinall
Aspinall arrives at the highest level of English football boasting extensive experience both domestically and internationally, including at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Joining Sian Massey-Ellis MBE in the top flight, Aspinall has been on the FIFA match officials list since 2007.
Nick Greenhalgh
Greenhalgh has over 300 matches to his name as an assistant referee in the EFL since joining the list in 2008/09.
The 35-year-old made the step to Select Group 2 (Championship) upon its formation ahead of the 2016/17 season, while he was also part of the team at the recent League Two playoff final.
Steve Meredith
Like Greenhalgh, Meredith has been a pivotal part of Select Group 2 since its formation and was given a taste of Premier League action on the final day of last season when he acted as an assistant referee when Brighton & Hove Albion hosted West Ham United.
He joined the EFL list prior to the 2012/13 campaign and has great experience with over 250 games to his name in their three divisions.
“We’re delighted to welcome Tom, Natalie, Nick and Steve into Select Group 1 for the 2022/23 season,” said PGMOL Managing Director Mike Riley.
“This is a fully deserved and great opportunity for Tom, who has performed very well as he’s progressed through the ranks over recent years and will now officiate at the top level of our game.
“Natalie, Nick and Steve are experienced assistant referees and have earned their place at this level. Natalie, who is a fantastic ambassador for English refereeing on the international stage, is the third female assistant referee to work in the Premier League and will work alongside her now Select Group 1 colleague Sian Massey-Ellis.
“Their promotions are recognition for not only their dedication and commitment but also their consistently-high standard of performances.
“We are sure they will all have a positive impact on Select Group 1 next season and we will continue to guide and support them with as they establish themselves in the Premier League.”
Retiring referees
Mike Dean, Jonathan Moss and Martin Atkinson have all retired from refereeing following the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Moss and Atkinson will take up Select Group 1 Manager and Coach roles respectively for the new season.
