Name: Malcom Langley
Age: 61
Refereeing Level: 10 (Referee Assessor)
Began Refereeing: 1974
Occupation: Retired Registered Mental Health Nurse, worked at Cherry Knowle Hospital for over 38 years (Retired 2012).
How where you introduced into refereeing?
I saw an advert in the Sunderland Echo advertising a referees course. I applied to the legendary and now sadly missed John Lowery who was most helpful and he saw me through the course.
What has been the highlight of your career so far and why?
Promoted to the old “Class One” in 1991.
Assistant Referee: Slovakia v Chile, Sunderland FC v Japan, Inter Milan v Eintracht Frankfurt & Feyenoord v Man United (Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Butt, The Nevilles)
All these games were in the Sunderland International Football Festival (U19)
Enjoyed officiating in the Northern League, great craic, great people, great times.
I really enjoyed officiating on the Northern League. Great crack and great people
What is the biggest game you have officiated and why?
All games are important but being 4th official at Sunderland Res v Newcastle Res at the Stadium of Light is up there with the Under 19 games
What are your aims and ambitions as a referee?
I am in my 23rd season now as a FA Match Observer (formerly ‘Assessor’). I currently observe at local county, Supply Leagues and Contributory League levels. My aim is to continue as a Match Observer for as long as I can and help as many referees as I can to achieve their own personal goals.
What/Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?
John Lowery (my refereeing course tutor), Joe Ward (who gave me my very first refereeing appointment in the Seaham & District League), Terry Farley (my Supply League Observer co-ordinator) and former Premier League Referee Alan Wilkie (Observer Support Officer).
In your opinion who is / was the best referee?
I’ve got 2 choices…….
Without doubt FIFA & Premier League Referee Michael Oliver who I had the pleasure to “assess” in a Northern League Division 2 game, Horden CW v Nissan, a week after his 18th birthday.
and………… Cuneyt Cakir (FIFA Referee from Turkey)
Accurate as of March 2018
