David Beckham’s former team-mate becomes referee and one of first ex-players to make the jump

The 40-year-old has benefited from a new PGMOL ref recruitment drive

Posted Tuesday, November 05, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

CHRIS BIRCHALL's football career took him from Port Vale to Los Angeles - and now he's eyeing up the Premier League.

The former LA Galaxy midfielder has retrained as a referee since hanging up his boots in 2016.

Chris Birchall (right) could finally be ready to achieve his Premier League dream

The former LA Galaxy midfielder has retrained as a referee

Birchall played alongside David Beckham in LA

Birchall started the process of becoming an official earlier this year.

The 40-year-old signed up for a special PGMOL initiative aimed at fast-tracking ex-pros into refereeing.

Birchall took charge of his first qualification game in April.

And he told SunSport just a month later: "I’d love to ref in the EFL.

"The hardest things are positioning yourself and making split-second decisions."

Birchall has now secured a three-year deal with the FA, blazing a trail for ex-players going into the profession.

He revealed on Monday: "I am over the moon to accept a 3yr contract offer from the PGMOL to become one of the first ex-players to transition into professional refereeing!

"Huge thanks to the PFA and Premier League along with PGMOL for this opportunity."

Tagging in Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, a vocal referee critic, he added: "Don’t be sceptical, be very excited!"

The new recruitment drive is part of the Elite Referee Development Plan, which is funded and supported by the Premier League.

It aims to revamp refereeing in English football, giving ex-professionals a fast-track route into the system.

Chief refereeing officer Howard Webb explained: "We've made no secret that we are looking to broaden our pool of officials and entice people from other areas of the game and society into refereeing who may have historically not been well represented.

"It's been fantastic to collaborate with the PFA on this programme.

"The level of interest from their members strongly indicates they feel this is an exciting opportunity to explore an avenue which could potentially lead them to the highest levels of our game - this time as a match official."

Birchall spent much of his early career in England's lower leagues, playing for Vale, Coventry and Brighton.

His world was turned upside down in 2009 when he joined the Galaxy, replacing David Beckham on his debut.

Speaking to SunSport earlier this year, Birchall said: "David was great with me.

"Although I played with him towards the end of his career, wow what a player. He could pick you out with a pass from 40 yards.

"There was banter between us as English guys. He’d come into training every morning and say to me, ‘Hi, Mr Perfect’ and I was like, ‘If anyone should be called that it’s you!’

"He sends video messages when it’s my lad’s birthday and I’ll text him when any big news happens. He’s humble and the type of person you want to be associated with."

Birchall played international football for Trinidad & Tobago, facing off against Golden Balls in the 2006 World Cup.

He remembers: "My biggest memory was Beckham shaking my hand at the end and telling me, ‘You had one hell of a game’.

"He was my hero so that was special."