PGMOL: Chris Birchall, Carl Baker, Liam Trotter among the ex-footballers embarking on new journeys as match officials

25 March 2025, 09:08 | Updated: 26 March 2025, 15:21

Just after 9am on a mild March Friday, two U19 teams from the Pro:Direct Academy warm up, preparing to face off in a friendly on a 3G pitch at the University of Warwick.

Some of these players may well go on to have a career in the professional game - Ipswich's Jaden Philogene is one of the academy's most recent success stories - but they are not the main focus today.

This match is officiated by former footballers accepted onto the 'Player to Match Official' programme, a joint venture between the PGMOL and the PFA, whereby current or former players enrol on a paid three-year refereeing scholarship as part of the PGMOL's ERDP (Elite Refereeing Development Plan).

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