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#Post#: 104507--------------------------------------------------
In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: April 20, 2026, 5:40 pm
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Here I am thinking about promotion to SG1. As in many
professions and walks of life, certain individuals come along,
shine brightly and one might imagine that their promotion is
assured. Such has been the case of Sam Barrott who was promoted
and now appears to have securely established himself in SG1 and
will soon be regarded, if he isn't already, as a big hitter in a
way in which I don't think Michael Salisbury or Thomas Bramhall
or even Rob Jones ever will be. However there are others who for
some reason do not seen to have such a smooth ascent. Not that
long ago there was much talk of the Smiths, Josh and Lewis being
at the front of the promotion queue, then Andrew Kitchen and
Matt Donohue seemed to be the odds on favourites. Now I do
believe that Farai Hallam and Thomas Kirk have moved into pole
promotion position ahead of others. Quite where Anthony
Backhouse is in the pecking order I don't know.
Now it may be that injury is a factor ( I think it has for Josh
Smith ) or maybe the potential isn't realised as completely as
was once thought it might be but there does seem to be quite a
movement among who should be regarded as favourites for
promotion.
#Post#: 104508--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: HChip
Date: April 21, 2026, 12:52 am
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In my opinion, the order is: Hallam & Kirk, Kitchen, Donohue, L
& J Smith
I think it’s quite unfortunate Kitchen and Josh Smith have fell
down the list, Josh due to injury (in my opinion) and Kitchen
unfortunately due to two quality officials just blasting to the
top. I think as soon as them 2 get promoted the spotlight will
be straight back on him.
As for assistants, I think James, Nelson and Dallison are
towards the top. Sam Lewis looked the favourite a few seasons
ago but again with James and Nelson he’s sort of fallen down the
list slightly. Bhupinder Singh Gill will also probably be fairly
close up there.
#Post#: 104509--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Failed Ref
Date: April 21, 2026, 1:32 am
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It's hard to disagree with Hallam and Kirk being top of the
list. Kitchen has had a tricky season albeit I have only watched
him a few times. His foul detection, a phrase I dislike because
it is easy to allege but is very subjective under the current
guidance of allowing more contact, is not quite there and he
dropped a clanger in a Charlton game albeit that it didn't
affect the result.
As for the others, their time may come, injury and good fortune
permitting.
#Post#: 104512--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: April 21, 2026, 3:14 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> In my opinion, the order is: Hallam & Kirk, Kitchen, Donohue,
L & J Smith
>
> I think it’s quite unfortunate Kitchen and Josh Smith have
fell down the list, Josh due to injury (in my opinion) and
Kitchen unfortunately due to two quality officials just blasting
to the top. I think as soon as them 2 get promoted the spotlight
will be straight back on him.
>
> As for assistants, I think James, Nelson and Dallison are
towards the top. Sam Lewis looked the favourite a few seasons
ago but again with James and Nelson he’s sort of fallen down the
list slightly. Bhupinder Singh Gill will also probably be fairly
close up there.
>
--- End Quote ---
Hard to disagree with all of this. Hallam and Kirk are clearly
at the top and I think their appointments at Wembley as 4O
pretty much confirm that.
Kitchen has struggled a bit at times this season with what I’d
call making the big decisions. Millwall DOGSO springs to mind,
as well as incorrectly disallowing a Charlton goal and made a
few errors in the Ipswich Blackburn game. So, in my opinion, he
hasn’t quite reached the heights that he has reached over the
last couple of seasons. 2 years ago, when he was first year SG2,
he picked up some cracking games and officiated them with aplomb
(Hull v Ipswich is one I recall). Kitchen is still only 29/30
years old so he’s still got plenty of time on his side.
I’d personally like to see Lewis Smith come up to SG1 now
because I think he now looks more ready for the step up. He was
being pushed at a ridiculous rate and made his Premier League
debut so quickly that I think it slowed his development a fair
bit. But, as I’ve said previously, he’s had a whole year in the
championship being in the middle for important games which now
makes me believe he’s ready for the step up again.
As for Donohue, he’s in a good place for the step up with his
VAR duties. However, I don’t rate him as highly on the field as
some of the others mentioned already. Another official who 2
years ago, picked up very good matches, made his premier league
bow and looked set to push on but when I watch him I just don’t
feel as convinced as to when I watch the likes of Hallam, Kirk,
L Smith etc.
Then on to the rather unfortunate Josh Smith. I did a bit of
research the other week and I discovered that Josh made his
premier league debut in the 2022/23 season. It seems
unbelievable he’s not been able to establish himself amongst the
SG1 cohort in this time. His performances have generally been of
a good level this season and I think he’d be deserving of SG1
status but the more time goes on, the less likely it’s actually
going to happen.
#Post#: 104541--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
Date: April 22, 2026, 4:03 am
---------------------------------------------------------
It’s quite refreshing that we have a pool of talent coming
through in such a large quantity.
It also makes the competition even tougher, and as we’ve seen,
anyone could be elevated quicker than others, who were on a good
trajectory in the first place and well established in SG2, like
Kitchen and Smith.
We never saw this array of potential SG1 officials waiting in
the wings under the disastrous reigns of Hackett or Riley.
It’s good that Howard Webb is showing more of an interest in
forward planning.
#Post#: 104560--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: April 22, 2026, 9:52 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Dificult to disagree with anything that has been said on this
thread. Reubyn Ricardo is another who seemed to come onto the
big stage early and then fell back a bit behind the likes of
Hallam and Kirk. I have no problem with that, having seen the
effects of instant stardom with Stuart Attwell a few years back.
Elliot Bell and Blair Harrison are two others who impressed me
this season at Crewe Alex, and I'm sure their time will come.
#Post#: 104572--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: TVOS
Date: April 22, 2026, 5:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Acme Thunderer link ---
>
> Dificult to disagree with anything that has been said on this
thread. Reubyn Ricardo is another who seemed to come onto the
big stage early and then fell back a bit behind the likes of
Hallam and Kirk. I have no problem with that, having seen the
effects of instant stardom with Stuart Attwell a few years back.
Elliot Bell and Blair Harrison are two others who impressed me
this season at Crewe Alex, and I'm sure their time will come.
>
--- End Quote ---
Maybe Blair Harrison will do as well as Oliver Michael and
Taylor Anthony :)
#Post#: 104575--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: April 22, 2026, 6:10 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: TVOS link ---
>
> [quote author=Acme Thunderer
link=topic=7929.msg104560#msg104560 date=1776869573]
> Dificult to disagree with anything that has been said on this
thread. Reubyn Ricardo is another who seemed to come onto the
big stage early and then fell back a bit behind the likes of
Hallam and Kirk. I have no problem with that, having seen the
effects of instant stardom with Stuart Attwell a few years back.
Elliot Bell and Blair Harrison are two others who impressed me
this season at Crewe Alex, and I'm sure their time will come.
>
--- End Quote ---
Maybe Blair Harrison will do as well as Oliver Michael and
Taylor Anthony :)
[/quote]
A friend, ex FL referee then an Observer and Coach, mentioned
the name Blair Harrison to me two or three years ago and said he
is one to watch.
#Post#: 104578--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Acme Thunderer
Date: April 23, 2026, 3:22 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: TVOS link ---
>
> [quote author=Acme Thunderer
link=topic=7929.msg104560#msg104560 date=1776869573]
> Dificult to disagree with anything that has been said on this
thread. Reubyn Ricardo is another who seemed to come onto the
big stage early and then fell back a bit behind the likes of
Hallam and Kirk. I have no problem with that, having seen the
effects of instant stardom with Stuart Attwell a few years back.
Elliot Bell and Blair Harrison are two others who impressed me
this season at Crewe Alex, and I'm sure their time will come.
>
--- End Quote ---
Maybe Blair Harrison will do as well as Oliver Michael and
Taylor Anthony :)
[/quote]
Oops, senior moment! Apologies to Harrison Blair. Sometimes
difficult for 'old gits' like me to differentiate now, unlike
Bent Jim & Co in days of old.
#Post#: 104584--------------------------------------------------
Re: In the fast lane towards promotion
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: April 23, 2026, 6:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Acme Thunderer link ---
>
> [quote author=TVOS link=topic=7929.msg104572#msg104572
date=1776895717]
> [quote author=Acme Thunderer
link=topic=7929.msg104560#msg104560 date=1776869573]
> Dificult to disagree with anything that has been said on this
thread. Reubyn Ricardo is another who seemed to come onto the
big stage early and then fell back a bit behind the likes of
Hallam and Kirk. I have no problem with that, having seen the
effects of instant stardom with Stuart Attwell a few years back.
Elliot Bell and Blair Harrison are two others who impressed me
this season at Crewe Alex, and I'm sure their time will come.
>
--- End Quote ---
Maybe Blair Harrison will do as well as Oliver Michael and
Taylor Anthony :)
[/quote]
Oops, senior moment! Apologies to Harrison Blair. Sometimes
difficult for 'old gits' like me to differentiate now, unlike
Bent Jim & Co in days of old.
[/quote]
I agree. When people have a given and family name which often
serve as both and either way round, it can be confusing for the
infirm of mind like me. Much better in the days of Mills
Trelford that very promising addition to the ranks New Harry
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