I walk away from refereeing with fabulous memories and no regrets, says proud Martin Yerby

MARTIN YERBY has today announced his retirement as an active referee after eleven seasons on the Premier League, writes Stephen McCartney.


Ashford resident Yerby, 49, is well known on the non-league football circuit in Kent, by clubs, managers, players and spectators after officiating for 25 years.

Some of his notable achievements have been:-
 
2008 – FA Challenge Cup Final (Assistant Referee) Portsmouth v Cardiff City
2008 – Football League Carling Cup Final (Assistant Referee) Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
2007 – FA Community Shield (Assistant Referee) Manchester United v Chelsea
2007 – Football League Championship Playoff Final (Assistant Referee) West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
2006 – Football League Championship Play-off Final (Assistant Referee) Leeds United v Watford
2000 – Kent Senior Cup (Referee) Gravesend & Northfleet v Folkestone Invicta
1998 – Southern League Cup Final (Referee) Margate v Redditch United
1998 – Kent Senior Trophy Final (Referee) Folkestone v Fisher Athletic
 
He also spent seven seasons refereeing on the Conference National and officiated in 9 full International games, including Brazil. He is the only person ever to have officiate in both the men and Women’s FA Cup Final.

Reflecting on his career, Yerby said: “I first started refereeing in the Ashford Sunday Leagues in 1986 and then progressed via the Kent County League and Kent Leagues and then on to the Southern League as it was called then.

“I have seen many changes in Kent football, from running the line at Dartford’s old Watling Street ground, to refereeing in their new fantastic stadium at Princes Park.

“I have seen many good times and wonderful characters in Kent.  The Neil Cugley era of playing, managing Hythe, Ashford and Folkestone.   Chris Kinnear’s time at Dover and then at Margate.  The rapid rise of clubs such as Sittingbourne and Hythe with injection of money and the affect that it had for those clubs.  Tommy Sampson, his enthusiasm for the game and the fantastic achievement with Deal Town in the FA Vase Final.

“I have refereed some wonderful non-league players such as Tony Dixon, Tony Rogers, Nicky Dent, Dave Arter, Jeff Ross, Tony McDonald, Carlton Wynter, Tony Burt, Terry White, Steve Portway, Mo Munden, Robbie Garvey, Martin Buglione, Tommy Warrilow, Ricky Pearson, Lee Turner, Steve Lovell, Paul Emblem, Andy Blondage, Lee McRobert, to name only a few who played the game in the right way.
 
“I remember the good times and support I received from Ashford Town FC, especially Alan and Audrey Lancaster, Doug Gillard and the fantastic run Neil Cugley had with the games against Fulham in the FA Cup.

“The team was predominately home grown Ashford talent and played very attacking and open football and goals were guaranteed at either end in a game – wonderful entertainment.

“Some club secretaries that have been around in all of my time – Ken Tomlinson (Margate), Neil Pilcher (Folkestone) and Tony Cousens (Hastings) – such loyal people.
 
One of the highlights for Kent football, at the highest level, was that this county produced a ‘team of match officials’ who worked in the Premier League together for a few years, they were known by their colleagues as the ‘Kent Mafia’ comprising of referee Steve Bennett and his assistants of Ian Gosling and Yerby, who added, “that demonstrated the strength of Kent football and its match officials at the time.”

He will now focus his attention on developing refereeing talent in Kent with coaching and being an Assessor, using his experience gained at the national level on the non-league circuit and also mentor assistant referees on the Premier League and Football League so his vast experience will not be lost.

He said:  “I walk away from being an active official with no regrets, just fabulous memories and proud of my achievements.”