Neale Barry

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Neale S. Barry is a retired English football referee, and current FA Head of Senior Referee Development. He was born on 4 June 1958, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, which is where he still lives.

He started his refereeing career locally in 1974, and officiated in the Lincoln League and the Northern Counties East League, before becoming an assistant referee on the Football League (National) List in 1990.[1]

In 1993, Neale was appointed to the National List of referees, where he took charge of over 400 games in all. He refereed the 1997 Division One Play-off Final between Crystal Palace and Sheffield United at Wembley, when Palace defeated their opponents 1-0, courtesy of a last-minute goal by David Hopkin.[2]

His inclusion on the FA Premier League list of referees followed for the season 1997-1998. His first ever appointment in the competition was the match between Crystal Palace and Barnsley on 12 August 1997, at Selhurst Park - a 1-0 away win, the goal coming from Neil Redfearn.[3]

Neale progressed to the Select Group in 2001, and refereed a total of 155 matches in the Premier League.

In 2002, he took charge of the FA Trophy Final when Yeovil Town defeated Stevenage Borough by 2 goals to 1.[4]

He gained wide experience in Europe as a match official, being appointed to 26 games abroad during his career.

He was never given the honour of refereeing an FA Cup Final, but was appointed fourth official in the Final which preceded his retirement in 2005. This was the 0-0 draw with Manchester United which Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties after extra time.[5]

Neale Barry's last Premiership game as man-in-the-middle was the 3-2 win for Bolton Wanderers at home to Everton on 15 May 2005, when he was unfortunately required to send off Bolton's Bruno N'Gotty for violent conduct.[6]

On 27 July 2005, the FA announced that he would be retiring from active refereeing, and taking up the position of Head of Senior Referee Development within their organisation, his responsibility being to retain and develop all referees between County and Professional Levels (Ian Blanchard fulfilling a similar role for those referees below County Level). This is the current job held by Neale Barry.[7]


[edit] Highest Scoring Win officiated by Neale Barry

19 September 1999
Newcastle United 8–0 Sheffield Wednesday       St. James' Park
      Att: 36,619[8]
Hughes 11'
Shearer 30'
Shearer 33' (pen)
Shearer 42'
Dyer 46'
Speed 78'
Shearer 81'
Shearer 84' (pen)







Alexandersson Cautioned

[edit] References

  1. ^ Birthdate confirmation and early career details.
  2. ^ Division One Play-off Final 1997.
  3. ^ First ever Premiership match.
  4. ^ FA Trophy Final 2002.
  5. ^ Fourth official: FA Cup Final 2005.
  6. ^ Career final Premiership match.
  7. ^ Announcement, 2005: His new appointment at the FA, plus some statistical sources.
  8. ^ Highest Scoring Win source.

[edit] External links