Football
ESPN staff 9y

Jon Moss to referee FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa

The Football Association have announced that Jon Moss has been chosen to referee next month's FA Cup final.

Darren England and Simon Bennett will run the line, while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official when Arsenal meet Aston Villa in the Wembley showpiece on May 30.

Moss, who was born in Sunderland but is a memeber of the West Riding FA, came through the Northern Counties East League and the Northern Premier League before being promoted to the Football League list in 2003.

He was a linesman for two years before becoming a Football League referee, and he was promoted to the Select Group, who officiate all Premier League matches, in 2011.

The 44-year-old told the FA's official website: "It was a complete surprise. When I got the call it was the realisation of a dream really. For any referee it is the pinnacle of your career.

"I've been involved in the Community Shield and the Conference and Championship playoff finals -- but this is the biggest game I will ever referee.

"As a young boy I used to watch the FA Cup final with my dad. We always had the programme and we went to a couple of finals at Wembley.

"You dream about playing in a final as a boy but I've dreamed about refereeing as I got older. Referees are no different to players and you strive always to get those massive games."

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