Retired Premier League referee, Mark Halsey, coming to Londonderry

Mr Halsey has been invited to the North by the Northwest Referees’ Association where he will host a referee development day on Sunday.

Mr Halsey agreed to referee the game when he was asked by Ballymoor FC Chairman, Sean McLaughlin.

“It is a great honour for our players and coaches to have a referee of Mr Halsey’s stature agree to take charge of our match,” said Mr. McLaughlin

“We are privileged that he has seen fit to take the time out of his busy schedule to spend time with us and everyone in the club is looking forward to the occasion.”

Seamus McCallion, Vice-Chairman of Ballymoor FC showed his admiration for Mr. Halsey who recovered from cancer and returned to referee at the top level of English football in 2010.

“Myself and the club have the utmost respect for Mark for what he and his wife have come through, this is a generous city and we hope everyone will come out and show their support and donate a few pounds. We as a club will be donating towards his chosen charity any other clubs are welcome to as well. It will be another great chapter in Ballymoor FC’s great work and we hope the players of both teams enjoy the occasion.”

Mark Halsey was an English Premier League referee from 1999 to 2013 and a international referee from 2002 to 2006.

In 2008 he refereed the League Cup Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea and his last game in charge was Manchester City versus Norwich City in 2013. He currently works as a referee pundit for BT Sport.