Gareth Clarke, a dedicated Bootle RA member, has had an extraordinary season filled with new experiences and memorable moments. Here, Gareth shares his journey and achievements from the past year, highlighting the opportunities and successes that have come his way.
A Season of Firsts and Promotions
“This season has been incredibly fulfilling, packed with new experiences and cherished memories. I had my first opportunity to be part of the official teams in the early rounds of the FA Cup, Women’s FA Cup, FA Vase, and FA Youth Cup. Being involved in these national competitions at the early stages is something I never thought possible when I started my referee journey three years ago. It was a real honour.
The early months of 2024 were particularly significant for me. I achieved promotions in both the men’s and women’s pathways, advancing from level 7 to 6 and 4W to 3W. I was also delighted to be appointed to the officials’ team for the LCFA Women’s Challenge Cup Final for the second consecutive year. This was quickly followed by final appointments in the Women’s and Youth Cup finals in the Liverpool Women’s & Youth League, as well as several finals in the Liverpool Premier League.”
Memorable Matches
“I thoroughly enjoyed officiating the ‘Kicks Cup Finals’ organised by Everton In The Community at Goodison Park. It’s always brilliant to referee in a big stadium. However, the most memorable and probably most unexpected match of the season was a behind-closed-doors friendly at Walton Hall Park. It was between Everton FC Women’s first team and Sheffield United Women from the Championship. Being in the middle officiating as part of a team of four, with a field of seasoned international players, was a fantastic memory. These players had just returned from international duty all over the world. It ranks among my top experiences since I got involved in football.”
Looking Ahead
“I hope next season continues to be full of more memories, experiences, and growth opportunities.”
Share Your Success Stories
We love hearing about the achievements of our members. If you have a success story from this season, we encourage you to share it with us. Please send in your stories via our website, and let’s celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our Bootle RA community together.