Refereeing decisions will always be scrutinised in football. Whether it’s the Premier League or the depths of the National League, the men in the middle rarely escape criticism.
While VAR dominates headlines in the top flight, it’s easy to overlook the issues faced in the lower tiers — but that doesn’t mean they’re not there. The EFL, particularly in League One, is feeling the effects of inconsistent and underprepared refereeing.
This weekend saw a number of officials who typically ply their trade in the National League stepping up to officiate League One fixtures. The need for competent, well-prepared referees is paramount, and everyone needs to start somewhere. However, we are seeing fast-tracked officials being thrown into the deep end. It’s a policy that demands a serious reassessment — and here’s why.
A Leap Too Far
Moving from the National League to League One is not a small jump — it’s akin to going from League One to the Premier League. Would Premier League managers be content with a referee more used to Shrewsbury Town suddenly officiating under the bright lights of Old Trafford or Anfield? No chance. So why are fans of clubs like Lincoln City being asked to accept someone who just a few months ago was refereeing in front of 1,700 fans at Maidenhead, now taking charge of their League One clash at the LNER Stadium, with over 9,000 in attendance?
The demands, the pace, and the pressure are all heightened. The atmosphere alone can be overwhelming, never mind the stakes involved. Simply put, it’s unfair on both the referee and the clubs involved.
Too Much, Too Soon
There’s a pattern emerging — officials seem to pass through League Two in the blink of an eye. Greg Rollason, for example, has taken charge of just five League Two fixtures this season, compared to 13 in the National League. Despite this, he was handed a League One clash this weekend, which saw him come under fire from Northampton boss Kevin Nolan. This isn’t about individual referees — it’s about the system that pushes them through the ranks too quickly.
If the EFL is serious about improving officiating standards, there needs to be a proper bedding-in period. League Two is a vital training ground, not a mere tick-box on the path to League One.
The Risk of Ruining Reputations
Promotion should be earned and measured, not rushed. Just as a player isn’t expected to jump from Braintree to Birmingham overnight, neither should a referee. League One comes with its own challenges: more relegation spots, higher financial stakes, larger crowds and, often, more media attention. Refs should be given time to adapt to this before stepping up again.
Throwing a referee in at the deep end risks more than a few bad decisions — it could ruin their development entirely. Officials, like players or coaches, need to grow with each level, not be flung two rungs up the ladder in one go.
Inexperience Breeds Criticism
Supporters and managers alike notice when a referee is being fast-tracked. That label alone can breed suspicion and, in turn, harsher judgment. A seasoned EFL referee like Seb Stockbridge knows how to deal with managers like Ian Evatt, Steve Evans or Danny Cowley. These are experienced, passionate characters — and not everyone can handle the heat they bring.
Younger referees, fresh from officiating at places like Altrincham or Solihull Moors, won’t have had that level of scrutiny or intensity before. It’s no surprise that some struggle — they’re simply not prepared for the environment. And that criticism can snowball quickly, damaging reputations before they’ve even had a chance to build.
Confidence Matters
Referees are human. Confidence plays a huge part in how they perform. When a young official has a bad day — as Rollason did at Northampton or Stephen Parkinson at Lincoln — it doesn’t just affect that match. It can shake their belief, impact their future performances and even stall their upward trajectory altogether.
The current system is setting some of these officials up to fail. Rather than nurturing talent, it’s exposing them to avoidable setbacks. These referees could become solid, long-term EFL officials — if they’re given the chance to grow properly.
A Better Way Forward
Nobody is suggesting referees should be boxed into one league forever. Movement between divisions is healthy, and experience across levels is valuable. But the step should be gradual — one division at a time. A referee gaining confidence and composure in League Two will be far better prepared for League One than someone leaping straight from the National League.
Fast-tracking might seem like a solution to a shortage of officials or a shortcut to talent development — but it’s proving counterproductive. Referees need the right experience, not just any experience. The EFL must take a long, hard look at how it prepares and promotes its officials — before more careers and more matches are needlessly affected.
