Neil Swarbrick

Neil Swarbrick (born 20 December 1965) is an English professional football referee who officiates primarily in the Premier League having been promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2011.

He is based in Preston, Lancashire, and is a member of the Lancashire County Football Association.

Career

Swarbrick took up refereeing relatively late, at the age of 29. Within six years he was promoted to the National List of assistant referees. He fulfilled this role for four years before being added to the Referees' List.

He refereed in the Football Conference until moving up into the Football League. He has also officiated FA Cup and Football League Cup matches. Swarbrick's first Premier League appointment came in December 2010 when he took charge of a goalless draw between Fulham and Sunderland. During his second Premier League appointment in February 2011 Swarbrick issued his first red card in England's top division, to D. J. Campbell of Blackpool as they lost 4-0 away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.