The Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA hosted a celebration evening last week to reveal the match official appointments for the 2024 County Cup Finals.

The event, which took place at Ice Sheffield, was an opportunity for 40 selected match officials from across the region to discover which final they will officiate. They also got the chance to meet their colleagues and take part in a role-specific technical session delivered by special guests from the professional game.

Premier League referee Tom Bramall and assistant referee Scott Ledger took time out of their busy schedules to recognise and support grassroots match officials ahead of their cup finals.

Barnsley-born Scott Ledger is no stranger to officiating in a big occasion, having run the line in a League Cup Final and FA Cup Final.

When asked on what advice he had for the assistant referees in the room ahead of their final, Scott said: “Just enjoy the occasion because I think we perform at our best when we do, and before you know it it’s over, so you’ve just got to savour it.”

Sheffield referee Tom Bramall also emphasised the importance of every member of the officiating team in a cup final, with the fourth official playing a key role off the pitch to support the on-field team.

He said: “It’s an important role in a big occasion such as a final. You’ve got to get the trust of both managers and support the team of officials on the field to get the big decisions right.”

Both officials assisted the county FA’s referee development officer Danny Guest and referee appointments officer Russ Lagden to announce the appointments and present every official with their own County FA badge, Nike training top and certificate.

Local match officials are allocated a County Cup final appointment in recognition of their performance, attitude and commitment over the course of the season.

One of those appointed was ex professional footballer, Vance Warner, the 2023 Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA Match Official of the Year.

Since hanging up his boots, Vance has refereed junior football in Worksop for over 13 years and said it was a huge honour to be appointed to the U13 Boys Youth Cup Final. 
Danny Guest, who was part of the panel responsible for selecting match officials for the showpiece finals, believes it’s a real accolade for a match official to receive a County Cup Final appointment.

He said: “A cup final is a special occasion for everybody involved, including the match officials, and it’s the perfect way to reward our high performing officials with a prestigious County Cup Final appointment.

“A lot of due diligence goes into each appointment, ensuring we assign referees accordingly to the type of game they officiate, and those who have been selected should be extremely proud of their achievements. We wish them all the best in their cup finals.”

The full list of 2024 County Cup Final match official appointments can be viewed below. 

For reaction and interviews from the celebration evening, check out our thread on X.

Congratulations and the best of luck to all match officials at the County Cup finals from everyone at Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA.

Match official appointments

Men’s Senior Cup Final
Worksop Town V Penistone Church (Thur 9th May, Hillsborough, 7.30pm KO)

Referee: Alan Hull
Assistant Referees: Connor Everard and Dylan Hague
Fourth Official: Lee Hible

Women’s Senior Cup Final
Huddersfield Town Women V Doncaster Rovers Belles (Sun 28th April, Hillsborough, 3pm KO)

Referee: Colin Bailey
Assistant Referees Tom Halloway and Jason Baker
Fourth Official: Paul Saunders

Saturday Cup Final
Caribbean FC v Stocksbridge Park Steels FC Reserves (Sat 20th April, Rossington Main FC, 3pm KO)

Referee: Josh Drake
Assistant Referees: Wayne Cooper and Clare Thompson
Fourth Official: Mick Bell

Saturday Trophy Final
Worksop Town Reserves V Wickersley Old Village Veterans O35s (Sat 20th April, Rossington Main FC, 11am KO)

Referee: Gary Hubbard
Assistant Referees: Simon Hunter and Jarrod Kenyon
Fourth Official: Ian Cox

Sunday Cup Final
Scawthorpe Athletic V Westville FC (Sun 21st April, Rossington Main FC, 3pm KO)

Referee: Will Cavanagh
Assistant Referees: Jim McGuinness and Andy Price
Fourth Official: Billy Cope

Sunday Trophy Final
Boynton Sports FC V AFC Pogmoor (Sun 21st April, Rossington Main FC, 11am KO)

Referee: James Kay
Assistant Referees: Duncan Ward and David Lunn
Fourth Official: Rodger Webb

U16s Youth Cup Final
Frickley Athletic U16 Yellow V Ecclesall Rangers U16 (Sun 19th May, Dinnington Town FC, 3pm KO)

Referee: Calum Freeman
Assistant Referees: Ryan Dawson and Ryan Whybrow
Fourth Official: Lee Freeman

U16s Girls Cup Final
Elite AFC U16 Gold Girls v Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies FC U16 (Sat 18th May, Dinnington Town FC, 3pm KO)

Referee: Steve Bradford
Assistant Referees: Grace Perry and Ben Brook
Fourth Official: Tony Tierney

U13s Youth Cup Final
Handsworth Boys U13 Amber V Sheffield United Junior Blades 1981 U13 (Sun 19th May, Dinnington Town FC, 11am KO)

Referee: Vance Warner
Assistant Referees: Daire Metcalfe and Tom Barney
Fourth Official: Paul Cooper

U13s Girls Cup Final
Barnsley FC Ladies U13 White V Elite AFC U13 Gold Girls (Sat 18th May, Dinnington Town FC, 11am KO)

Referee: Malcolm Levitt
Assistant Referees: Martin Barnes and Tom Mallon
Fourth Official: Ali Saad