• ‘When I got the call it was the realisation of a dream’ • ‘This will be the biggest game I will ever referee’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Jon Moss will referee the FA Cup final between Aston Villa and Arsenal on 30 May.

The 44-year-old from West Riding said: “It was a complete surprise. When I got the call it was the realisation of a dream really. For any referee it is the pinnacle of your career.

“I’ve been involved in the Community Shield and the Conference and Championship play-off finals but this is the biggest game I will ever referee.”

The assistant referees will be Darren England and Simon Bennett, while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official. Harry Lennard will be the reserve assistant referee.

“As a young boy I used to watch the FA Cup final with my dad,” Moss told the FA website. “We always had the programme and we went to a couple of finals at Wembley.

“You dream about playing in a final as a boy but I’ve dreamed about refereeing as I got older. Referees are no different to players and you strive always to get those massive games.”