Staffordshire based Referee, Oli Langford, will be taking charge of The FA Youth Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City later this month.

Taking place across two legs, Oli and his team of Nick Hopton, Adam Matthews and Tom Nield will visit both Stamford Bridge and Manchester City's Academy Stadium on Tuesday 18 April 2017 (7.45pm) and Wednesday 26th April 2017 (7.45pm).

When asked about his appointment Oli stated "I'm always pleased to receive any FA appointment but to receive the call for such a prestige Final was a real proud moment and in all honesty a complete surprise. Previously the game has been refereed by a Premier League Referee so it was pleasing not just for myself but also recognition for Select Group 2 Officials that we have been chosen to oversee the Final."

Oli added "It feels like I've been refereeing forever now. I'm still only 36. It took me 3 years to not only to progress from the Supply League, but also 3 years to progress from the Contributory and 3 years to progress from the Panel List to Football League."

Oli was selected as one of the 18 Referees for the newly formed Select Group 2 Referees along with another Staffordshire Referee Steve Martin who was part of the Refereeing Team at last year's League One Play-Off Final.

Staffordshire FA would like to congratulate Oli on his appointment and wish him the best of luck for both fixtures! The 2016/17 season has been a successful one for Staffordshire officials so far, as Chris Sarginson recently took charge of the Checkatrade Trophy Final at Wembley earlier this month.