Whittlesey referee heading to Wembley after picking up prestigious national award
Robert Windle with Mark Halsey - Credit: Archant
A WHITTLESEY referee has won a prestigious national award.
Robert Windle, 50, of Whittlesey, picked up the Football Association’s outstanding contribution to refereeing within a development setting award.
The award was deliberated over by a panel of elite referees including Howard Webb, who was in charge of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.
Windle will pick up a framed certificate and engraved trophy at the FA Carlsberg Referee Award ceremony at Wembley Stadium prior to England’s game with Scotland on Wednesday August 14.
Windle, who qualified as a referee 35 years ago, was thrilled with the award.
He said: “To be nominated for the award was an honour and I am grateful to those who took the time to submit my name, but to win is something extra special.
“All referees dream to referee a match at Wembley so this is up there with this dream.
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I would like to thank The FA and Carlsberg for organising this award and the local county FA’s leagues and Peterborough Referees Association for supporting me.”
Windle has arranged for Premier League referees Mark Halsey and Michael Oliver to visit Whittlesey’s schools and supports young referees who are making their way in the game.
David Elleray, chairman of the FA’s Referees Committee, said: “Many congratulations to Robert on winning the award.
“He has clearly demonstrated a passion for refereeing and developing others and promoting it in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire area which is why he has won this national award.”
