Referee Abigail Byrne will be officiating Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against Colchester United.
She has an impressive career, becoming the first female referee to take charge of Soccer Aid in 2023 and is also the third female referee to be appointed to referee a match in the English Football League, with her first fixture being between AFC Wimbledon vs Swindon Town in December 2024.
She has also overseen numerous Women’s Super League matches, including Chelsea v Manchester United, Leicester City Women v Liverpool FC Women, and Manchester City Women v West Ham United.
The 33-year-old has also officiated five Women's FA Cup finals, refereeing in 2019 and 2024. She was also the assistant referee in 2017 and the fourth official in the 2020 and 2023 finals.
Other highlights include refereeing the 2021 FA Women's League Cup final at Vicarage Road, as well as appearing on the international stage at the 2023 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship, the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, and the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
Byrne has refereed three Sky Bet League Two fixtures this season, with her most recent match ending in a 1-0 victory for Cheltenham against Accrington Stanley.
Alongside Byrne will be Daniel D’Urso and Leigh Crowhurst as assistant referees, and David Hutton has been appointed as the fourth official.
