Rookie ref Attwell secures shock promotion to Premier League

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The Premier League will have the youngest referee in its history next season.

At just 25, little-known Stuart Attwell is also thought to be the youngest ever official to reach the top flight of English football.

It is a meteoric rise for the Warwickshire referee in that it comes after just one season in the Football League.

Attwell's shock promotion was confirmed to Sportsmail last night by Professional Game Match Officials as he joins Keith Hackett's select group for the new season.

He is the new record holder by the considerable margin of four years. Mark Clattenburg was 29 when he become the previous youngest in 2004.

Hackett has long been committed to bringing officials through earlier, effectively lengthening a career that lasts only to the age of 48 but also allowing referees to operate at a high level when their fitness is at its peak.

Hackett also wants a balance between experience and youth. Michael Jones — a second League referee promoted for Premiership duty yesterday — is a seasoned campaigner of 40.

But the spotlight will fall on Nuneaton-based Attwell. He made his League debut on August 11 last season at Edgar Street for a League Two game between Hereford and Rotherham and ended the campaign by taking charge of the League Two play-off final at Wembley between Rochdale and Stockport.

Attwell has a degree in sports science and works for UK Sport.