Leicester-based Kevin Friend has been a member of the Select Group of referees since the 2009/10 season, after a successful career outside of the top flight.

Friend took up refereeing as a 14-year-old and plied his trade in local football and Midlands leagues before he started to progress through the Football League pyramid. Prior to his appearance in the Premier League, he was regularly officiating in the Championship.

Alongside numerous high profile Premier League appointments, Friend’s most notable honour so far came when he took charge of the 2012 FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Chelsea.