Oliver to provide Premier League treatment for Highwaymen

As well as looking over the Third-Place match at Whitby Town’s Tournament this weekend, Oliver, who was in charge of the 2018 FA Cup Final, along with the Second Leg of the Real Madrid vs Juventus Champions League Semi-Final last season, Michael is well known in the North East as a former Northern Premier League and Northern League referee. The FA Select Group referee, the youngest to have joined the Premier League’s pool, will be taking his own pre-season training in as the Highwaymen host the Academy of League One Sunderland.

Morpeth will be seeing the visit of the Black Cats to almost close off the pre-season programme before their FA Cup clash with Goole AFC by adding four new signings for the newly promoted side.

Dan Lowson, Jeff Henderson, Adam Burnicle and Sam Hodgson have arrived at the club in the off-season, adding to a strong squad which will be looking for more success after last season’s promotion and Senior Cup Final appearance at St James’ Park.

Morpeth media manager Ross Jackson revealed how the appointment of Oliver came about. “Michael has recently moved to the town and contacted the club about getting some minutes under his belt,” said Jackson.

“People forget that it isn’t just the players who need to shrug off the rust and get match fit; the referees need to as well. We’re delighted to have Michael officiating our game with Sunderland, which is our biggest game of pre-season anyway. Chuck in a Premier League ref and it will be a cracking night for everyone who comes down.”

Photo courtesy of Morpeth Town AFC

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