How far could I go?

When I first got qualified, my goal was to make it as far as I can, obviously fifa being the pinnacle. I still dont know realistically what I could expected to get to. One ref I assisted not so long ago said I was too old and it kind of put me down if I'm being honest because I'm ready and willing to fully commit (as much as circumstances allow) I'm not employed currently and am not in a rush to get back into work, fortunately I'm in a position to either pick and choose a job I want to do or simply not work at all and make my money however I can (legally of course but maybe the tax man doesn't know)

In your opinion, if I'm a) dedicated and committed, b) willing to sacrifice, learn, travel, train etc what should my realistic goals be? Because its the bottom of the ladder yes and In hindsight it really doesn't matter, but I was stressing maybe a little too much about getting my L6 in Feb (I know i had until april) because I wanted to use the remainder of the season to get as far into my L5 progression as possible and I've done alright actually, wanted a few more middles but I've got all my lines done and 9 middles plus 1 observation so I'm well on course for a dec/Jan promotion hence why I'm thinking about 5 to 4 in 2026.
I'm 32 now so I know I'm not a young lad any more and the fa are all about bringing through the youth, but what sort of level do you think I could make it to at my age now?

In theory you could make it to the Select Group, but chances are slim, purely based on statistics of how many make it that far.

Im a bit out of the loop these days with promotions, but there does seem to be a large elements of almost fast tracking these days. So progression is certainly a possibility.

As the last few years have shown in the eyes of the FA, if you are good enough you are young enough. I know a few referees who got to their highest levels later on in their careers. Simply stay dedicated and take every opportunity you get and you can get to wherever you want to be.

Samuel is on the right lines & if you are good enough then in most circumstances promotion will follow. What I would say is that whilst it is good to have ambitions to get to the top, to focus on each step/level. So with it appearing you are currently a L6, to focus all your attentions on becoming a L5 & so on & so forth.

Onne of the posters on here made it in much later life. All is possible.

Derek Eaton was a premier league AR this season and has just retired at 61.

I had the pleasure of speaking with him and he said he got accepted into the higher late into his 40s.

You can get to level 4 very quickly if you have the commitment, aptitude and attitude.

Then after that, a lot of skill and a sprinkle of luck could see you fly up through the tiers.

Good luck.

I qualified in 2019 aged 30.
6 years later I'm starting the new season as a L3.

Realistically I think L3 will be my ceiling. However, with the right amount of dedication both on and off the field there's no reason you couldn't push higher. We have a referee in Cornwall who's got to be in his mid 40's at least as was promoted to L2 last season.

I was in my 30s when I got L4, and mid to late 30's when I got promoted to L3. It is obviously much harder as you get older, but nothing is impossible.

Being honest I think these days, with the ERDG in place, being level 6 at age 32 means the absolute best you could hope for would be L3, I'd be amazed if you could make it any higher. But that in itself is a very good level to be refereeing at and puts you in the top 500 or so in the country.

Will_A said:

I qualified in 2019 aged 30.
6 years later I'm starting the new season as a L3.

Realistically I think L3 will be my ceiling. However, with the right amount of dedication both on and off the field there's no reason you couldn't push higher. We have a referee in Cornwall who's got to be in his mid 40's at least as was promoted to L2 last season.

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And if you're talking about the same guy I am thinking of, that's well deserved too. He was in my county before Cornwall and I've never ran the line to a referee so talented at communicating with players and having them eating out of the palm of his hands.
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I qualified in 2017 aged 26 and once I started going for promotions I said if I ever got to L3 I'd be content that I'd really achieved something, but now I'm here I'd love to get a look at a football league match, that's the new goal. COVID interrupted my progress around Level 4, but I still think I've done well to get to 3 in the time I have, as have you.
Last season was my first full season at 3 and I finished in the top 50 (top 20%), so can't complain at that! Now to push on for more next season!

RefereeX said:

if I ever got to L3 I'd be content that I'd really achieved something, but now I'm here I'd love to get a look at a football league match, that's the new goal.

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I was having pretty much the same conversation with a mate of mine who's also L4 very recently. Both set out with the idea that L3 would be the dream but to put it very simply (and I mean VERY simply) all we need is a couple seasons to go your way and you could realistically be in a position to hit the NL. Understand life is never or will never be this simple but it does show the progression that is available to everyone.

RefereeX said:

And if you're talking about the same guy I am thinking of, that's well deserved too.

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Yes, he is.