Anthony Taylor, Michael Oliver, Howard Webb

Here are the Football Teams Premier League Referees Support

August 22, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Being a Premier League referee is one of the toughest jobs in football, and staying neutral is absolutely essential. However, many referees still have childhood clubs they support, which often sparks debates among fans. Here’s a closer look at the current top officials and the teams they follow.

Anthony Taylor – Altrincham

Anthony Taylor, born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, is one of the Premier League’s most recognized referees. Despite officiating at the highest level, he’s a lifelong supporter of Altrincham, a non-league club. Taylor even holds a season ticket, though his busy schedule means he rarely attends games.

Michael Oliver – Newcastle United

Michael Oliver, from Ashington in Northumberland, is widely regarded as one of England’s top referees. A passionate Newcastle United supporter, he hasn’t officiated a single Magpies match since making his Premier League debut in 2010. To ensure neutrality, he also avoids Sunderland games due to the fierce local rivalry.

Andrew Madley – Huddersfield Town

Hailing from West Yorkshire, Andrew Madley is a committed Huddersfield Town fan. His passion for the Terriers began early, as he was once part of the club’s School of Excellence. Now a respected Premier League referee, he’s careful to avoid officiating any Huddersfield-related matches.

Peter Bankes – Unknown

Liverpool-born referee Peter Bankes keeps his club allegiance a mystery. While many assume he supports either Liverpool or Everton, he has never confirmed it publicly. Interestingly, he has never officiated a match involving Liverpool, Everton, or Tranmere Rovers, which only adds to the speculation.

Rob Jones – Unknown

Rob Jones, from Merseyside, is another referee who has kept his favorite club secret. Despite the speculation, he avoids matches involving both Liverpool and Everton to maintain neutrality. Fans often debate his loyalty, but for now, Jones prefers to keep it under wraps.

John Brooks – Unknown

John Brooks, born in Melton Mowbray, is one of the Premier League’s newer referees. While his favorite club remains undisclosed, one thing is clear: he has never taken charge of a Leicester City match. This has fueled speculation among fans, but Brooks continues to maintain full professionalism.

Stuart Attwell – Luton Town

Stuart Attwell, from Warwickshire, is the Premier League’s longest-serving referee, officiating since 2008. A proud supporter of Luton Town, he faced a unique situation when the club was promoted to the top flight in 2023. As a result, Attwell is now barred from officiating any matches involving Luton.

Craig Pawson – Sheffield United

Craig Pawson, hailing from Sheffield, is a well-established Premier League referee. A devoted Sheffield United fan, he is naturally excluded from officiating any games involving the Blades or their fierce rivals, Sheffield Wednesday. His experience also includes high-profile matches such as the 2015 League Cup Final.

Darren Bond – Unknown

Darren Bond, from Wigan, joined the Premier League refereeing team in 2023. Despite being relatively new to the top flight, his personal club preference remains unknown. Bond has so far avoided controversy, and his neutrality continues to be an asset as he builds his reputation.

Simon Hooper – Swindon Town

Simon Hooper, from Swindon, has endured plenty of criticism over the years, but he remains a passionate supporter of Swindon Town. Known for his controversial decisions, Hooper became infamous after missing a blatant penalty call during a Wolverhampton match in 2023. Still, his loyalty to the Robins has never been questioned.

Thomas Bramall – Unknown

Thomas Bramall, one of the youngest referees in the Premier League, hails from Sheffield. Despite constant speculation, he has kept his club allegiance private. Interestingly, Bramall never officiates matches involving Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday, which only adds fuel to the rumors.

Paul Tierney – Wigan Athletic

Paul Tierney, from Lancashire, is an open supporter of Wigan Athletic. His name often comes up in debates among Liverpool fans, especially after a series of controversial decisions involving the club. To ensure fairness, Tierney never officiates Wigan games, maintaining strict neutrality.

Darren England – Barnsley

Darren England, from Barnsley, is a lifelong supporter of his hometown club, Barnsley FC. Before becoming a top-flight referee, he even worked with the club’s community trust. England became a FIFA-listed referee in 2022 and has quickly risen to prominence in the Premier League.

Graham Scott – Swindon Town

Graham Scott, based in Oxford, is another proud Swindon Town supporter. Like fellow referee Simon Hooper, he cannot officiate any matches involving his favorite club. Scott has been a Premier League referee since 2015 and has managed over a hundred top-flight games.

Jarred Gillett – Liverpool

Australian-born Jarred Gillett is unique among Premier League referees, as he openly supports Liverpool. When he moved to England, he declared his allegiance, meaning he’s excluded from officiating any Liverpool or Everton matches. Before arriving in the Premier League, Gillett was a five-time A-League Referee of the Year in Australia.

Tim Robinson – Unknown

Tim Robinson, from West Sussex, is one of the newest additions to the Premier League referee team. His club preference remains undisclosed, but he has already taken charge of matches involving Brighton, despite being part of the Brighton referee association. Robinson continues to build his top-flight career carefully.

Howard Webb – Rotherham United (PGMOL Chief)

Howard Webb, now the head of the PGMOL, was once one of the Premier League’s most respected referees. Despite accusations of favoritism toward Manchester United during his career, Webb has always been a lifelong supporter of Rotherham United. Today, he oversees referee operations but no longer officiates matches.