Amy Fearn makes football history

Amy Fearn made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first female to referee a football league match.

Fearn, recently married, maybe more recognised by the name Amy Rayner a predominant feature running the line in the football league, but she stepped into the middle after her colleague Tony Bates got injured.

Mrs Fearn was running the line for the opening 70 minutes of the Championship fixture between Coventry City and Nottingham Forest at The Ricoh Arena until the referee Tony Bates pulled as calf and after lengthy treatment from the Coventry physio, was forced to come off. Fearn, as the next senior official of the remaining three, was the obvious choice to take over and thus making history by being the first woman to referee a football league game.

I spoke to Fearn's colleague Chris Sarginson on the history making official and he said "It is very difficult for a lady to get to the top in men's football but why not? Amy has been at her level for many years so is very experienced."

After this Amy will no doubt be looking now at promotion to football league middle and this is a feat, Sarginson believes could happen "FL ref is a big step though. Being a lady no doubt makes it harder but she is strong enough to do it."

Her confidence will no doubt be sky high, and at only 31 years of age it is not impossible for her to make the Premier League list, something I sincerely hope she achieves, but for now she must just get on with things and concentrate on her next appointment, 4th official at Leicester vs Scunthorpe.

Dowd to ref League Cup Final

Stoke-on-Trent's Phil Dowd today was named the man in the middle for February's Carling Cup final between Aston Villa and Manchester United.

The 47-year old will be taking charge of his first match at the new Wembley Stadium, when the game takes place on the 28th February.

The experienced official, has been the biggest improver on the Select Group list over the past few seasons and has been rewarded for his hard work, finally with his first domestic cup final.

Dowd will be assisted on the day by two of the countries leading linesman, Shaun Procter-Green an experienced Premier League assistant and Conference referee and Dave Richardson who is on the FIFA list and has represented his country both internationally and in Europe.

Lee Mason will control the electronic board and Nigel Bannister will be reserve assistant, a massive appointment for him, having been involved with the ball over the line controversy at Watford vs Reading last season.

Congratulations to all five officials, thoroughly deserved appointments for all.