Carl Boyeson - Local referee to retire from the professional game after a long and distinguished career.

After 21 seasons and over 600 games which includes taking charge of the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley Carl is stepping down to allow the next generation of elite match officials the chance to emulate his career as a match official.

During this time Carl has also served the Premier League and EFL as an assistant referee.

After starting his football journey as a player in the Hull and District Youth Football League and then the Hull Sunday Men's League Carl took his chance to became a match official when he enrolled on the FA Basic Referee course at the age of 22.

Carl's first season as a referee saw him turning out on pitches across Hull as he took charge of games in the Hull Sunday Men's League before quickly moving through the ranks to the Northern Premier League. This is where he had his first taste of semi-professional football before being elevated to the man in the middle and moving to the assistant referee list for the English Premier League in 1996.

His last game in semi pro football was Harrogate Town versus Workington Town which is where he will finish his professional career as on Bank Holiday Monday he is set to take charge of Harrogate Town versus Rochdale in Sky Bet League Two.

Since 2002 Carl has become a permeant fixture across all four professional divisions in England as well as the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. Renowned for his professionalism and dedication to his role Carl has created friendships at all levels of the game. 

During his time in the professional game Carl has continued to support local grassroots football in East Riding and he continues to be an active member of the East Riding Referees Association.

Carls journey as a match official isn't over yet though and we look forward to seeing grace the pitches of East Riding in the very near future.