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#Post#: 102046--------------------------------------------------
SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: HChip
Date: February 26, 2026, 4:34 pm
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I have just spent the best part of an hour collecting every SG1
who has featured in the EFL Championship so far this season, as
well as vice versa.
So, here are the statistics for SG2 in the PL so far this
season:
Referees:
Andrew Kitchen (3)
Tom Kirk (3)
Matt Donohue (3)
Farai Hallam (2)
Lewis Smith (1)
Assistants:
Alex James (4)
Andrew Dallison (2)
Bhupinder Singh Gill (2)
Alistair Nelson (2)
Hristo Karaivanov (1)
So, who do we think will go up this season? Do we think anyone
else from SG2 will make their PL Debut/an appearance this season
or do we think they will decide out of these?
I am quite surprised Sam Lewis hasn’t got an appearance as of
yet, same with Josh Smith and David Webb.
I think Alex James will definitely be promoted, and depending on
the demand for referees I think it will be between Kitchen and
Donohue/Kirk.
Thoughts and opinions from those more experienced and
knowledgeable on the forum?
#Post#: 102049--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: ocj1998
Date: February 26, 2026, 4:43 pm
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I'd be expecting Jacob Graham to appear at some point, either
later this season or more likely next.
Usually works with Donohue in the Championship, also Sam Barrott
and Alex James in the UEFA Youth league.
Whilst still a rookie on SG2, he's clearly held in high regard.
#Post#: 102052--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: February 26, 2026, 5:18 pm
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I wouldn’t say I’m an experienced member of the forum, nor am I
particularly knowledgeable but I’ll give my opinion for what
it’s worth 😁.
To me, Kitchen, Kirk and Hallam are the real front runners and I
think they’re most likely to make the step up next season.
Donohue is a real strong contender too, especially with his VAR
duties as well. However, I feel Donohue is more prone to a
poorer performance than the others. I’ve always found Kirk and
Hallam to be really consistent in the level of quality they
produce when officiating.
Then I’ll move onto the two Smiths. Josh, in my opinion, should
be touching SG1 by now. He’s been a very high performer in the
championship for a number of years now and I think if he doesn’t
make the step up now then I get the growing feeling he might
never make it which would be a real shame. Lewis will definitely
be SG1 sooner or later. I think with Lewis, it was a case of
being pushed far too quickly (I think he was awarded
Championship games while being a level 2A official which I
believe is very rare and then had his PL debut at Fulham the
season after). I’d say, upon reflection, Lewis was thrown into
the PL spotlight far too early and I think a relatively calm
season in the championship with decent appointments here and
there has done him the world of good and is making him a better
referee. Of course, if needs he be, he can step into the premier
league gold like he did at Chelsea last week but I think a
stable season appointments wise has led to him touching SG1
status.
I think David Webb will remain a SG2 now. I don’t think his
level has been as high as it was last season and I’d say he’ll
be seen as Mr Reliable in the SG2 ranks. I’ve seen him a couple
of times this season and it’s not quite what I saw from him last
season. I still think David Webb is an excellent referee who may
get the odd premier league game but his opportunities will now
be severely limited with the insistence of pushing younger
referees through the system.
We’ll have to watch Ricardo, Toner and Herczeg next season. In
my opinion, none are particularly close to SG1 status but I
could see more high profile SG2 appointments for them next
season. Toner was impressive in Watford v Ipswich and I’ve seen
Herczeg have good games but can also have some inconsistent
performances. Not seen enough of Ruebyn Ricardo to comment on.
That’s my opinion of it all. 👍
#Post#: 102057--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: HChip
Date: February 27, 2026, 2:48 am
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Upon reflection I do think I was abit optimistic with David
Webb. I can also see where you are coming from with Donohue.
If Kitchen doesn’t make it to the PL next season I will be
shocked. Considering Darren Bond hasn’t refereed all season, and
we see referees picking up 1-2+ week injuries, I think it would
be good to promote someone, even if nobody leaves SG1.
I really hope Josh does get his well-deserved promotion soon. If
he doesn’t get a PL game by the end of the season I will be
extremely shocked.
#Post#: 102059--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: February 27, 2026, 4:37 am
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--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> Upon reflection I do think I was abit optimistic with David
Webb. I can also see where you are coming from with Donohue.
>
> If Kitchen doesn’t make it to the PL next season I will be
shocked. Considering Darren Bond hasn’t refereed all season, and
we see referees picking up 1-2+ week injuries, I think it would
be good to promote someone, even if nobody leaves SG1.
>
> I really hope Josh does get his well-deserved promotion soon.
If he doesn’t get a PL game by the end of the season I will be
extremely shocked.
>
--- End Quote ---
I think that’s a fair summary. I’d definitely agree that there
seems to be quite a lot more SG1 injuries at present then there
have been in other seasons so some more depth in numbers
wouldn’t be a bad idea. There’s certainly been some serious
issues in recent times (Bond and Tierney spring to kind. Madley,
Brooks, Robinson all had early injuries this season too).
Josh Smith should get a PL game by the end of the season. I do
have a feeling that he was in line to do Fulham v West Ham on
Wednesday (the game that Donohue has) because he has one 4O in
the championship on Friday night and isn’t in action at all
anywhere else. But the problem was he couldn’t do it because he
was in charge of Fulham during FA Cup weekend. That may be
completely wrong but that’s the feeling I get.
#Post#: 102060--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: February 27, 2026, 4:55 am
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Some SG2 seem to get promoted to SG1 relatively quickly; others
seem to be knocking on the door for ages before they are finally
admitted. I would cite the example of Sam Barrott in the former
category and Tim Robinson in the latter.
I would say the front runners for promotion to SG1 at the moment
( and I put them in some sort of merit order ) are Farai Hallam,
Andrew Kitchen, Tom Kirk and Matt Donohue. Maybe Josh Smith is
one of those who has been knocking on the door and will get his
promotion but I think the fact that he hasn't been appointed to
a Premiership fixture yet this season doesn't bode particularly
well. Although he has had injury problems I would have thought
that the authorities have seen enough of Josh Smith by now to
make an informed decision as to whether they want him in SG1 and
it appears, up to now at any rate, that they don't.
#Post#: 102063--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: HChip
Date: February 27, 2026, 5:19 am
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Something we also need to consider is if these quality referees
get promoted to SG1, they will need replacing as well. I think
Duckworth, Reeves, Finnie and Corlett are all in the mix
considering they have all been given Championship games this
season.
Do any EFL supporters have anyone who they think they should be
promoted? I don’t tend to watch L1/2 so I won’t make too much of
a comment.
#Post#: 102068--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: February 27, 2026, 7:40 am
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--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> Something we also need to consider is if these quality
referees get promoted to SG1, they will need replacing as well.
I think Duckworth, Reeves, Finnie and Corlett are all in the mix
considering they have all been given Championship games this
season.
>
> Do any EFL supporters have anyone who they think they should
be promoted? I don’t tend to watch L1/2 so I won’t make too much
of a comment.
>
--- End Quote ---
Good point. Based on appointments received I would say that the
names you mention are indeed current favourites for SG2. I also
think Jacob Miles is somewhere on the radar and perhaps Ben
Speedie though I think his star has somewhat waned recently
#Post#: 102069--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: February 27, 2026, 7:59 am
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I don’t watch too many games at L1/L2 level but considering this
person has had championship appointments too, Elliot Bell must
be close to SG2.
Martin Coy has appeared in the championship before and seems to
be very well trusted.
Another referee that I like from the National List is Martin
Woods but I don’t know much about him.
#Post#: 102075--------------------------------------------------
Re: SG2 -> SG1 for next season
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: February 27, 2026, 10:08 am
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--- Quote from: TA_Ref link ---
>
> I don’t watch too many games at L1/L2 level but considering
this person has had championship appointments too, Elliot Bell
must be close to SG2.
>
> Martin Coy has appeared in the championship before and seems
to be very well trusted.
>
> Another referee that I like from the National List is Martin
Woods but I don’t know much about him.
>
--- End Quote ---
I agree on Elliot Bell, and I've always rated Will Finnie,
although he has had injury problems this season.
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