Christopher Foy (born 20 November 1962Birthdate confirmation at the Football League official website. Retrieved 26 March 2008.) is an English retired professional football referee. Following his first appointment as an official in the Football League in 1994 and his promotion in 2001 to the list of Select Group Referees who officiate in the Premier League, Foy refereed a number of notable matches, including the FA Community Shield and the finals of the FA Cup, Football League Cup and FA Trophy.
In 2015 Foy retired to become a senior referees' coach for the Professional Game Match Officials Board.Referee Foy announces retirement to become PGMOL coach
Career Foy was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, of place of residence: Newcastle-Online.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. and first started refereeing in 1983. In 1994, he was promoted to the Football League list of assistant referees and progressed to the Premier League assistant referees' list in 1995.
He made the step up to the role of referee in the Football League in 1996 and became a Premier League referee in 2001, his first appointment being a 0–0 draw between Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic in December 2001.First match in the Premier League: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. Earlier in that year Foy was appointed fourth official for the FA Trophy final at Villa Park, where Canvey Island defeated Forest Green Rovers 1–0.FA Trophy Final 2001 result : TheFA.com website. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
He was also fourth official during the international friendly match when England lost 2–1 to Italy at Elland Road in March 2002,Fourth official, England v. Italy, 2002: EnglandFootballOnline website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. and in May 2006 for the Football League Championship play-off between Leeds United and Watford, the latter winning 3–0.Championship Play-off result: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
Nine days after the Championship play-off he was fourth official again when England played Hungary at Old Trafford, the home team winning 3–1.Fourth official, England v. Hungary, 2006: EnglandFootballOnline website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. Foy subsequently retired from international activities at the compulsory age of 45 in 2007.
In 2007, he was selected to referee the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium between Stevenage Borough and Kidderminster Harriers. The match was won 3–2 by Stevenage, with Foy issuing four yellow cards.FA Trophy Final result: TheFA.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
In 2008 Foy was chosen to carry out fourth official duties at the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium, with Mike Dean refereeing.FA Cup Final 2008, fourth official: TheFA.com official website. Retrieved on 8 April 2008.
Foy refereed the 2009 Football League Cup Final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, with United securing victory on penalties after a goalless draw.Calring Cup Final , Manchester United v. Tottenham Hotspur, referee: Refworld.com website. Retrieved on 1 August 2009. He also took charge of the 2009 FA Community Shield later that year, contested by Chelsea and Manchester United, with Chelsea winning 4–1 on penalties after extra-time finished 2–2.Community Shield , Chelsea v. Manchester United, referee: Refworld.com website. Retrieved on 1 August 2009.
Foy's highest refereeing honour was to officiate the FA Cup final in 2010, won 1–0 by Chelsea and during which he issued three cautions to Portsmouth players and awarded Portsmouth a penalty kick which was missed by Kevin-Prince Boateng four minutes prior to Didier Drogba's winning goal.
Foy retired from professional refereeing at the end of the 2014–15 season to become a senior referees' coach for the Professional Game Match Officials Board, working under Howard Webb.
Personal life As an Everton fan,Everton fan: Toffeeweb.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. Foy did not referee competitive games involving that club,Friendly match involving Everton , his favourite team, 2007: BlueKipper.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. although he did take charge of an Everton away game at Aston Villa in 2002 before he had declared his interest in the team.Refereeing his own team v. Aston Villa, Premier League, 2002: soccerbase.com website. Retrieved 26 March 2008.
Foy was actively involved in the "Don't X The Line""Don't X The Line" campaign objectives. Retrieved 27 March 2008. campaign to eradicate abusive or aggressive behaviour from players and spectators at junior and youth matches."Respect is due in football": article, BBC.co.uk website. Retrieved 26 March 2008. He has also supported Knowsley Housing Trust's "Give Rent Arrears the Red Card".
Statistics
SeasonGamesTotal per gameTotal per game1997-98411062.5960.151998-9940912.2840.101999-00341012.9770.212000-01341163.4180.242001-02301003.3490.302002-0318784.3450.282003-0423682.9640.172004-0528531.8910.042005-06431032.40100.232006-07411112.7170.172007-0834992.9160.172008-09361173.2530.082009-10361072.9750.142010-1134892.6240.122011-1235862.4680.232012-1331642.0620.062013-1432892.7860.19Total5701,5782.77950.17 There are no available records prior to 1997–98.
References
External links
Chris Foy Profile at Refworld.com Chris Foy Referee Statistics at Soccerbase.com Chris Foy Interview at FA.com website