Neale Barry will focus on the retention and development of referees between County level and the professional game. He will not continue in his career as a Premier League referee.

Promoted to The FA Premier League referees list in 1997, he has officiated 155 Premiership matches.

In total, Neale has taken charge of over 400 matches as a National List referee over the course of 12 seasons. He was also appointed as a match official at 26 matches overseas, and brings to the post 15 years’ experience in referee training and education.

Ian Blanchard will concentrate on the recruitment, retention and development of match officials at Level 5 (senior County referees) and below.

He has a total of 18 years’ refereeing experience with ten years at National List level, as well as eight years as a Premiership assistant referee. A licenced referee instructor since 1995, he has delivered courses around the world.

The new structure, with two distinct roles replacing what has previously been the single position of Head of Refereeing, will bring greater focus to the particular requirements of the different levels of the game.

Both Neale and Ian will start in their new roles on 1 September, and take over from John Baker who is retiring after five years as The FA’s Head of Refereeing.