Anthony Taylor Calls Time: Premier League Referee Retires .
One of English football’s most experienced officials has hung up his whistle. Anthony Taylor has officially announced his retirement from refereeing at the age of 47, bringing the curtain down on a 20-year career at the highest level.
The Manchester-born referee departs after 16 seasons in the Premier League where he was a near-permanent fixture, taking charge of 432 top-flight games. In total, Taylor officiated 831 matches across domestic and international football, including every major cup final in England.
His last match in charge was fittingly on the world stage — Portugal vs Spain in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
From Wythenshawe To The Premier League Elite
Born 20 October 1978 in Wythenshawe, Manchester, Taylor’s rise through the ranks was steady and deliberate.
He started in the Northern Premier League 2002–2004, then moved to the Football Conference 2004–2006, before spending 2006–2010 in The Football League.
The breakthrough came in 2010 when he was promoted to the Select Group Referees — the elite panel that oversees Premier League matches. That promotion put him on the path to becoming one of England’s go-to referees for the biggest fixtures.
Three years later in 2013, Taylor was added to the FIFA list. For the next 13 years he represented England abroad, taking charge of Champions League, Europa League and international matches.
Taylor became synonymous with big games at Wembley.
In 2015 he handled the EFL Cup Final as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0, and later that year the Community Shield when Arsenal edged Chelsea 1-0.
But it was in the FA Cup where he made history. Taylor refereed the 2017 FA Cup Final and again in 2020 — both Arsenal vs Chelsea, both ending 2-1 to Arsenal.
With that second appointment he became the first referee since Arthur Kingscott in 1901 to take charge of two FA Cup finals.
As a FIFA referee from 2013–2026, Taylor’s portfolio was stacked:
- 2x FIFA World Cups
- UEFA Europa League Final
- UEFA Nations League Final
- Multiple Champions League knockout games
He was known for letting games flow, but also for not shying away from big decisions — a trait that kept him in demand for over a decade at the top.
Career Timeline
Domestic
- 2002–2004: Northern Premier League – Referee
- 2004–2006: Football Conference – Referee
- 2006–2010: The Football League – Referee
- 2010–2026: Premier League – Referee
International
- 2013–2026: FIFA Listed – Referee
Across 831 matches, Taylor leaves behind a legacy as one of the most consistent and high-profile English referees of the modern era. From lower league grounds to World Cup knockout football, he officiated at every level.
With over a decade in the Premier League and on the FIFA list, Taylor retires as part of the generation that helped professionalize refereeing in England
