The Premier League has appointed Stuart Attwell
as its youngest ever referee.
The 25-year-old
from Nuneaton has been promoted to the list of top flight officials
after just one season in the Football League.
Premier League referees' chief Keith Hackett told BBC Sport:
"Last season week-in week-out he produced consistent, high quality
performances.
"Under pressure he remained calm and showed a great deal of
maturity when managing players."
Attwell has been fast-tracked through the refereeing system,
having started in 1998, and was promoted to the National List of
Referees in 2007.
Hackett said he has no doubts that Attwell will be able to
handle the extra pressure of stepping up to the Premier League,
where the money at stake means decisions are scrutinised even more
closely.
He added: "I can confirm that Stuart is the youngest ever
referee to be promoted to the Premier League.
"He has earned the respect of players, managers and spectators
by demonstrating excellent fitness and a high standard of
performance in his decision-making.
"My task as his boss is to ensure that he transfers those skill
sets to the Premier League.
"Few managers in industry would be given the opportunity to
manage £300m-plus so early in their career."