On this day 2021: Rebecca Welch becomes first woman to officiate entire EFL game

Rebecca Welch became the first female referee to officiate an entire EFL match, on this day in 2021.

Welch made EFL history as she oversaw Harrogate’s 2-0 League Two home defeat by Port Vale where her day went unspoilt – without any major controversy – and Harrogate manager Simon Weaver praised the referee post match.

“I think she was very good indeed,” he said after the game.

“Important calls were made throughout and they were the right calls.

“Hopefully it’s just par for the course that we see female referees and officials in the EFL. It’s about time.”

Amy Fearn became the first woman to referee an EFL game after coming on as an injury replacement in the 2010 Championship game between Coventry and Nottingham Forest, but Welch…