Chris Birchall and Carl Baker, ex-professional footballers, are trading in their jerseys for whistles. These girls’ journeys as referees are just beginning and we can’t wait to see where they take them! Both Birchall and Baker have already made the leap into coaching after top-flight playing careers. They are all part of the PGMOL and PFA’s ‘Player to Match Official’ program, an initiative designed to improve work between match officials and players. This program provides an innovative pipeline for former players to become referees. It provides a full-time, three-year study scholarship via the PGMOL’s Elite Refereeing Development Plan (ERDP).
Chris Birchall on his way to the fiercest of midfield duels. Now, he’s focused on being the kind of referee he wanted to be back when he played. Birchall has eclipsed 170 total appearances for Port Vale. He played with David Beckham for LA Galaxy and has been a referee for more than a month now. He's already taken charge of academy-level games and West Brom Women's first-team matches. Birchall has made it her clear target to referee in the Premier League in the next three or four years. He is deeply committed to performing at the highest level in his new position.
Carl Baker, another member of this year’s cohort, spent 10 years playing in the English Football League (EFL). He displayed that talent during stops with Morecambe, Stockport, Coventry, MK Dons, and most recently Portsmouth. He would go on to play below the football league pyramid at non-League clubs until 2022/23 with Quorn. Today, Baker is turning that fierce love of the game into pursuing a career as a top-notch referee.
Chris Birchall's Transition from Player to Referee
Chris Birchall’s path to becoming a professional referee represents a huge change of pace from his productive playing career. Birchall became an international superstar for the Soca Warriors’ sensational 1-0 win over England in the 2006 World Cup. Having had a successful tenure with LA Galaxy, he officially hung up his professional boots in 2016. On the field, his experiences have provided him with valuable insights. These days, he’s using those experiences as he puts on the referee’s jersey.
"This is why this programme is so exciting because it opens doors to ex-players to come through into the game and use their experience to not be better referees, but to try and be as good as they individually can, because there are some exceptional referees coming through who haven't played the game." – Chris Birchall
A serious believer in communication, Birchall knows that this is the key to establishing a relationship with your players. Most of all, he wants to be the type of referee that he looked up to from the player perspective.
"I'll constantly self-commentate on the game and speak to players because I feel like I'm getting a rapport with them as that's what I would have liked as a player with a ref." – Chris Birchall
His style prioritizes player-referee communication for excellent game flow and control, rather than pandemonium.
"Sometimes when there's no rapport with the ref whatsoever, that's when the players get a bit worked up. There's always going to be disagreements with every decision, but trying to build that rapport can help keep that game management calm." – Chris Birchall
Carl Baker's Enthusiasm for Officiating
Carl Baker’s journey from the World Cup to the grassroots pitch highlights his commitment to understanding the nuances of refereeing. Following a long career in the EFL and non-League, Baker is now diving head first into getting to grips with the refereeing trade.
"From the National League to the Premier League – if it's on, I'm watching it," – Carl Baker
Baker’s passion is palpable as he spends hours before and after each game poring over footage, determining referee angles, hand signals, and how to best execute a call.
"I've probably watched 1,000 games of football in the last month! I'm a little bit obsessed at the minute, trying to do as much research and find as much information as I can. When I'm watching games, I'm pausing it, rewinding it, taking notes." – Carl Baker
His tireless attention to detail reflects how he learned in school, ensuring that he’s soaking up as much information as he can.
"I feel like back in my school days, watching the referees, what positions they're getting in and what signals they're giving and just as many details as possible I can get." – Carl Baker
With the precision of a surgeon and the tactics of a sniper, Baker is developing his craft to become the best ever in his new profession.
Aiming for Premier League Officiating
Both Birchall and Baker have dreamed big, wanting to step on the pitch at the Premier League. The ‘Player to Match Official’ programme provides them with a clear structure and subsequent pathway to reach this target within a three-year period.
"The contract is to get as far as you can, with the potential of the Championship and the Premier League within the three years. If certain players don't make it to that level, they might make it to the National League, some players might make it to League Two, some players might drop out of it altogether," – Chris Birchall
Birchall’s ambitions are evident as he clearly has his eyes on jumping from his club to the Premier League.
"I want to be in the Premier League. I don't want to come across as arrogant, but the opportunity is there to be in the Premier League. So, my goal within that three to four years is to be officiating in the Premier League." – Chris Birchall
Birchall and Baker take on their new roles with passion and commitment. They are all hopeful for what lies ahead for them in officiating.
"And the good thing with us is we've got the resilience, so we know the scrutiny is coming. We appreciate the difficulty of the role and we know we're going to make mistakes on the journey, but we're all excited. I'm buzzing for it." – Chris Birchall
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