The FAW wishes to congratulate Ken Wright for earning a Guinness World Record as the longest-serving football referee in history.
Having first picked up the whistle at the age of 15, Wright has been officiating for 63 consecutive seasons and taken charge of over 5,000 matches.
The 78-year-old from Swansea worked his way up from local leagues to become an Assistant Referee in the League of Wales (now Novira Cymru Premier), while also officiating matches between Swansea City and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United at the Vetch Field.
Wright’s back catalogue of games also includes matches involving Arsenal at Highbury, Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Now refereeing matches in the Swansea Senior Leagues, Wright has also officiated in the FAW Welsh Cup and FAW Amateur Trophy qualifying rounds so far this season.
Speaking to ITV Cymru Wales, Wright said: “When you think of the number of countries in the world and the number of referees, I just can’t believe it’s now a fact that I’m the longest serving in the world.
“To be the longest-serving referee in Wales would be an honour, Europe would be an even bigger honour, but when you talk about the whole world, it’s unreal really.”
Guinness World Records said: “Ken’s career reflects a rare and remarkable dedication to the sport, officiating through generations of changing rules, playing styles, and technology in the game while maintaining the fitness, focus, and love of football needed to keep stepping onto the field match after match, year after year.
“Reaching such a milestone speaks not just to longevity but to a lifelong commitment to the game from the sidelines, long after many referees have long since hung up their whistle.”
Llongyfarchiadau Ken, on a magnificent achievement.
