Anthony Taylor will return to Wembley following the League Cup Final in March

Anthony Taylor will return to Wembley following the League Cup Final in March

Select Group Referee Anthony Taylor will be the man in the middle when Arsenal meet Chelsea in The FA Community Shield supported by McDonald’s.

It will be a return to Wembley Stadium for the Cheshire-based official, who was in charge of the League Cup final as recently as March.

Taylor, 36, also refereed The FA Vase Final in 2010 and The FA Trophy Final two years later.

Arsenal v Chelsea The FA Community Shield supported by McDonald's

3pm, Sunday 2 August 2015

Wembley Stadium connected by EE

Live on BT Sport

He will be joined at the season’s curtain-raiser by assistants Gary Beswick from Durham and John Brooks from Leicestershire & Rutland.

Wiltshire’s Roger East will be fourth official, while the reserve assistant referee will be Michael Salisbury from Lancashire.

And Taylor says being involved in any game under the arch is a “fantastic” experience.

“Big derby matches are always special, no matter where they take place, but Wembley is obviously such an iconic stadium,” Taylor told TheFA.com.

Taylor has refereed in the Europa League this season

“Wembley is not a strange place, it's fantastic. I have been fortunate enough to referee there three times before.

“At the level we officiate at we are so lucky to be able to ply our trade at Wembley and experience that feeling when you are stood in the tunnel waiting to come out in front of 90,000 people.

“It's an unbelievable feeling and one that you would like all football fans to experience.”

The Community Shield will be Taylor’s ninth visit to Wembley in an official capacity. He was the fourth official for an FA Cup Final and semi-final, while he also carried out the same role for the Community Shield at Villa Park in 2012.

A self-confessed Altrincham fan who would watch them home and away before taking up the whistle in 1995, Taylor joined the FIFA Referees list in 2013.

Match officials Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Assistants: Gary Beswick (Durham) & John Brooks (Leics & Rutland)

Reserve Assistant: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire)

Having officiated many games internationally, including being additional assistant referee for the Europa League final in May, he is currently in Greece for the UEFA U19s European Championship.

He believes his build-up to the new campaign will be perfect preparation for his trip to Wembley on Sunday 2 August.

“It’s a great way to start the season and for me it’s the final push for pre-season preparation, following on nicely from the Under-19s Finals,” he said.

“I was involved in two UEFA matches in June, then I was selected for this U19s tournament, so it impacts on preparations for the new season.

“I could be here in Greece for ten days, or three weeks, depending on how far I can progress in the tournament.

“The Community Shield is a perfect way to be ready for the start of the Premier League season.”

Arsenal will be looking to defend their Shield title won last year

David Elleray, chairman of The FA Referees’ Committee, congratulated Taylor and his team on their appointments.

“The FA Community Shield often sets the scene for the coming season and The FA Referees’ Committee is delighted to have such a strong team of match officials for this important fixture,” said Elleray.

“Anthony Taylor’s performances in England and internationally have been of a very high level for several years.

"Indeed, he is currently in Greece as one of six referees selected by UEFA to officiate in the UEFA U19 Finals.”

He added: “Anthony is a trusted and admired official who will be very ably supported at Wembley by Gary Beswick and John Brooks – two of our most promising FIFA assistants – and by the experience of Roger East and Michael Salisbury.”

If you are keen to get involved in football and become referee, you can find out more here.