REBECCA WELCH announced her retirement as a referee today to take up a managerial role within Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

Welch, 40, who made history by becoming the first woman to referee Premier League and English Football League fixtures, will become manager of the Select Group Women’s Professional Game (SGWPG).

Her new role with SGWPG will be to support and develop Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship officials.