Carlisle-based referee John Mulligan recently made his EFL debut following his promotion this summer.
On Saturday, John was the match referee for the League Two fixture between Port Vale and Fleetwood Town.
Earlier this month he took charge of the EFL Trophy midweek game between Morecambe and Nottingham Forest U21s alongside fellow Cumberland FA match official Scott Henry, who acted as John’s assistant referee.
His first big appointment came as a fantastic 34th birthday present.
John said: “Our appointments aren’t released until 4pm on a Monday and I was out for a late lunch with my wife Alex, so I was blissfully unaware.
“However, those who I’m close too soon notified me! And once I had managed to log in to see it for myself, I was quite emotional.
“It’s a culmination of 16 years of dedication, sacrifice (both personal and professional) and ultimately hard work, all to pursue the dream that every referee has when they first start, which is to referee in the Football League.
“When that settled, it was all about taking it in, who the two teams were, which for my debut was a complete shock (as Port Vale were top of the League 2) and then respond to all my messages!”
John still has the certificate that ex-Football League referee Colin Seel presented him in Carlisle Ex-Servicemen’s Club after completing his referee’s course “all those years ago.”
He said: “I started out at Melbourne Park in the Carlisle City Sunday League, refereeing Sunday morning men’s football to begin with, coupled with lining in the Northern Alliance on a Saturday.
“This provided strong foundations for both aspects of the refereeing pathway. Then it was onto refereeing locally in the Cumberland County League and Northern Alliance before working my way through the footballing pyramid in terms of the FA National League System (Steps 6 to Step 2) gaining refereeing promotions as a Level 4, 3, 2b, 2a and now as Level 1 National Group Referee with the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Ltd).
“It certainly hasn’t been an exponential rise as there have been many bumps and challenges along the way.
“However, having the right people to support me (there are too many to name individually but they know who they are) helped when times were tough.
“Without all of their help, I wouldn’t have reached this milestone and I will be forever grateful for their time, expertise and belief in my abilities.
“At this point I can’t not mention Fred (Conway). He was hugely influential when chairman of the Cumberland FA and someone who continued to push me to be the best I could be!”
What about any young referee in the county who want to follow his path?
John said: “I would say listen to those around you as everyone has something that can help your development. If not as a referee, then as a person.
“I would also encourage them to use the Cumberland FA Referee Mentor programme as this will provide them with access to experienced referees who can help support their development. Finally, enjoy the ride. It’s a bumpy one but the rewards are there if you want it enough!”
