The annual Referee events were unable to occur last week due to COVID-19 restrictions. Usually the pinnacle of the season it includes an initial gathering at the Challenge Cup Final in Aldershot followed the next day with the Referee training day (RAFA) concluding in the evening with the annual awards dinner at RMA Sandhurst where the two annual awards in the Referee fraternity are the Dobson and Le Breton Trophies.

The Dobson is awarded to the referee who has made the most significant contribution to Army Football during the course of the season. The Le Breton is for the level 7 official who has shown the most potential and commitment during the campaign.

Following scrutiny of citations by the Referee Executive Committee, Chairman Lt Col Gary Connolly announced the winners through a recorded video message to the Referee social media page. The two successful candidates were:

Dobson – SSgt Steve Tymms AAC

LeBreton – WO2 Dan Bishop RAPTC

The Chairman added "I thank all personnel who took the time and effort to craft the citations.

"Steve Tymms has made a huge contribution on and off the pitch and is fully deserving of the Dobson award. In the Le Breton category Dan Bishop has had an outstanding first season. I look forward to seeing his referee career flourish in the future.

"All the candidates nominated for each category have contributed significantly during the course of the season and are making a huge difference to Army football.

"I look forward to the time when COVID-19 restrictions will allow for a formal presentation of the trophies to the winners."

The candidates nominated were:
Dobson: Capt Grant Cuthbertson (LD) Cpl Kieran Corrigan (R Signals)
Le Breton: WO1 Simon Towe (Inf), SSgt Andy Biggin (AGC), Sgt James Garsrud (RAC)

Steve Tymms is currently Referee Secretary for UK Midlands and an active Observer and Mentor for Army and civilian football. After securing back to back promotions he has just been nominated to the FA for Level 4 consideration. Dan Bishop came through his Army Referees course in January 2019. Since then he has completed over 150 fixtures and is also the Appointment Secretary for UK South. He has also been successful in achieving promotion to Level 6.