Tony Spreadbury to join EPCR as Head of Match Officials
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has today announced that Tony Spreadbury, Head of Professional Game Match Officials will be leaving the union to join EPCR. Spreadbury will join the tournament organiser of the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup in December 2021 as Head of Match Officials. ‘Spreaders’ started as a member of the Somerset Referees Society at 17, after a shoulder injury ended his playing days as hooker. Singing tenor in his church choir, he combined refereeing with life as a paramedic in the ambulance service for some 17 years before becoming one of the game's first fully-professional referees. Spreadbury took charge of 44 Test matches, officiated at two Rugby World Cups, and refereed the 2003 Heineken Cup final as a replacement for the injured Chris White during a distinguished career. “On behalf of everyone at the RFU, I would like to thank Spreaders for his incredible contribution to the organisation and to refereeing over the last twenty years," said Conor O’Shea, RFU Director of Performance Rugby.
"There is only one Spreaders and he really will be missed by everyone across the organisation and English game. He leaves us with the best group of match officials in World Rugby and obviously with our very best wishes for the future and as he continues his journey in rugby. As is his wont since we have known about this move we have been working with him closely about what the best structure for the officials department is so we ensure we build upon the work Tony has put in but we certainly will not find his likes again.”
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the RFU over the last 20 years – initially as a referee, then as a referee coach and finally in my current role as head of the professional game match officials team," said Spreadbury.
"I really am leaving with a very heavy heart as I have met some brilliant people, not just colleagues but also good friends. However I am looking forward to the challenge ahead with EPCR.”
