DEVON County FA are delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Long as Referee Workforce Officer, marking an exciting step forward in the development, support and recruitment of match officials across the County.

Simon will begin his role in November and will lead on the support, development and recruitment of referees and the wider refereeing workforce across Devon, with a particular focus on ensuring the workforce feel valued, supported and able to progress within the game.

He spent 19 years involved in professional football, including 17 years on the Premier League Assistant Referees list, a role which he will continue alongside his work with Devon County FA.

Simon also brings significant experience in referee development and appointments, having previously worked as a Referee Development Officer with Suffolk FA, as well as serving as the National League System Match Official Appointments Officer for the Southwest Pool.

In his new role, Simon will place a strong emphasis on referee engagement, ensuring officials across Devon have access to the support, guidance, development opportunities and pathways they need to progress through the refereeing pyramid.

His appointment represents Devon County FA’s continued commitment to strengthening the referee workforce and creating a positive environment in which match officials can develop and enjoy their refereeing journey.

Long said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Devon County FA.

“I am looking forward to working alongside them to ensure we are providing the best possible experience for match officials, whether they are at the start of their journey or have been involved for many years."

Head of Delivery Matt Hodgson added: “We are really pleased to be welcoming someone of Simon’s stature to the team.

“We’re confident that he will be able to empower, develop and grow our refereeing community, drawing on his experiences to help our referee workforce be the best that they can be."