Tony Spreadbury

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Antony John Spreadbury, commonly known as Tony or Spreaders (the latter traditionally pronounced with a strong west country accent), (born 28 March 1962 Bath, England) is one of the world's most respected rugby union referees, and along with Chris White is one of England's two highest level referees.

Spreaders, as he is known, refereed at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and has been professional since 2001. Prior to becoming a full-time referee he combined it with a career as a paramedic. Prior to becoming a referee in 1979 he played as a hooker before an injury forced him to stop. He refereed his first international test match on June 9th 1990 when he took charge of the match between Australia and France having being added to the IRB refeering panel in 1984.

Spreadbury is a full-time referee in the Guinness Premiership, Powergen Cup and Heineken Cup and has taken charge of the finals of all three competitions.