A massive overhaul of the management, training and development for all match officials operating in the professional game was introduced for the 2001/02 season by The Football Association, FA Premier League and Football League.
The radical restructuring, aimed at continuing to improve the overall standard of refereeing in the professional game, sees match officials categorised into two groups.
The Select Group officiates in the FA Premier League and other competitions and comprise 21 referees and 48 assistant referees.
Referees in this group will receive an 'annual retainer' of £33,000 plus match fees for their commitment to training and development over several days each month in addition to their match commitments. Importantly, referees will be allowed to continue with their chosen careers.
Assistant referees in the Select Group will receive an allowance for their time dedicated to training.
The National Group officiates in the Football League and other competitions, with 50 referees and 188 assistant referees. Referees Manager Jim Ashworth will supervise this group, which will also receive increased training and development.
Additionally, the referees' National Review Board has been replaced by a new independent organisation, entitled the Professional Game Match Officials Board. The group will consist of the three governing bodies' Chief Executives and Referees Managers in addition to The FA's Head of Refereeing.
"This is a big development for football," said Adam Crozier, then FA Chief Executive. "We will see a fundamental reorganisation of match officials which will lead to continuing improving standards of refereeing, which is a priority for everyone.
"It's great news for the professional game in England, and I would like to see it improve our match officials standing on the international stage."
FIFA OFFICIALS FROM JANUARY 2003
Referees
G P Barber (Hertfordshire FA)
S G Bennett (Kent FA)
M L Dean (Cheshire FA)
A P D'Urso (Essex FA)
M Halsey (Lancashire FA)
M Messias(North Riding FA)
G Poll(Hertfordshire FA)
U Rennie(Sheffield & Hallamshire FA)
M A Riley(West Riding FA)
R Styles(Hampshire FA)
Assistant Referees
G Atkins(West Riding FA)
D S Babski(Lincolnshire FA)
G A Beale(Somerset FA)
D S Bryan(Lincolnshire FA)
J P Devine(North Riding FA)
D Drysdale(RAF FA)
A J Green(Leicestershire & Rutland FA)
K Pike(Dorset FA)
P R Sharp(Hertfordshire FA)
G B Turner(Derbyshire FA)
Women Referee
Mrs W A Toms(Dorset FA)
Women Assistant Referees
Ms A E Rayner(Leicestershire & Rutland FA)
Ms A Chapman(Berks & Bucks FA)