WHICH PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS DO THE REFEREES SUPPORT? 👀⚽
Premier League referees are often among the most criticised figures in football. Their decisions can dramatically influence matches, meaning they frequently face intense scrutiny from supporters.
Because referees are required to declare their football allegiances during the application process to help protect impartiality, some of the clubs they support are known publicly.
Here’s a look at the reported club loyalties of several current and former Premier League officials:
🏁 ANTHONY TAYLOR — ALTRINCHAM
The experienced referee from Wythenshawe, Manchester, has reportedly supported National League side Altrincham throughout his life. Taylor has even held a season ticket at the club, although his refereeing commitments make regular attendance difficult.
⚫⚪ MICHAEL OLIVER — NEWCASTLE UNITED
Born and raised around 15 miles north of Newcastle, Michael Oliver is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter. He has therefore avoided refereeing Newcastle matches since becoming a Premier League official in 2010.
🔵 ANDREW MADLEY — HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Andrew Madley, brother of former Premier League referee Bobby Madley, is a passionate Huddersfield Town supporter. He grew up in West Yorkshire and has remained closely connected to the club.
❓ PETER BANKES — UNKNOWN
Peter Bankes, who comes from Liverpool, has never publicly confirmed which club he supports. Despite being from an area dominated by Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere supporters, his personal allegiance remains unclear.
Interestingly, he has never refereed a match involving Liverpool, Everton or Tranmere Rovers.
⚫ DAVID COOTE — NOTTS COUNTY
David Coote’s club allegiance was once questioned after an alleged Facebook profile appeared to use an image of Old Trafford. However, PGMOL later confirmed that Coote supported Notts County.
Coote was subsequently dismissed in December 2024 following a disciplinary process after a controversial video involving comments about Liverpool and former manager Jürgen Klopp.
❓ ROB JONES — UNKNOWN
Rob Jones has kept his football allegiance private. The Merseyside-born official has been refereeing in the Premier League since 2019, but the club he supports has not been publicly established.
❓ JOHN BROOKS — UNKNOWN
John Brooks, who began refereeing at just 14, has also kept his club preference private. He has connections to the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA and has never refereed a Leicester City match.
🟠 STUART ATTWELL — LUTON TOWN
Stuart Attwell is a lifelong Luton Town supporter and one of the longest-serving referees in the English top flight.
Luton’s promotion to the Premier League created a situation where Attwell could no longer officiate matches involving his boyhood club because of conflict-of-interest rules.
🔴 CRAIG PAWSON — SHEFFIELD UNITED
Sheffield-born Craig Pawson is a known Sheffield United supporter and has regularly been seen around Bramall Lane.
The experienced official has been FIFA-listed since 2015 and has officiated several major domestic fixtures during his career.
❓ DARREN BOND — UNKNOWN
Darren Bond’s club allegiance has not been publicly confirmed. He became a Premier League referee during the 2023/24 season after replacing the departing Andre Marriner.
Overall, while some referees’ loyalties are well known, others have deliberately kept their preferred clubs private. Their declared allegiances are intended to help ensure potential conflicts are identified and managed appropriately.
