“The amount of hard work and dedication going in to becoming a Category 1 is enormous, so when the hard work pays off there is no better feeling. The support from fellow officials and the department has been something else and I’m hoping this the start of a long and successful journey.

"For any current or ex-footballers like me I would say go for it. I retired from playing at the age of 32 to give myself the best opportunity within refereeing as I understood the demands and length of process of becoming a Cat 1.

“I’ve always held an interest in refereeing and knowing the laws of the game, I passed the course when I was 23 which led to me refereeing amateur games throughout my whole footballing career on a Sunday - even when I was in England and America. The benefits of it are countless, meeting great people, communicating with players and the amount of stadiums you see is great.

"You get a totally different insight from being a referee compared to being a player and I really thrive on the challenge of moving forward as a new Cat 1. I would encourage anyone, not just ex-footballers, to be a referee, gain that experience and learn and just go for it.”

Another former player, Mark Daly, is promoted Category 3 which makes him eligible to run the line in the SPFL.

Finally, Calum Foreman, Lee Paterson, Jonatan Siluk and Kevin Totten are promoted to Category 3 Development which now officially confirms them on the Senior list of referees.

Full list of promotions

Re-classify Category 1 Performance: Greg Soutar (Angus & Perthshire) Re-Classify Category 1 Development: Sean Murdoch (Glasgow) Re-Classify Category SAR Select: John Stewart (Fife) Re-Classify Category SAR Performance: Alastair Taylor (Renfrewshire) Re-Classify SAR Development: Ross Anderson (Lanarkshire), Kevin Buchanan (Moray & Banff), Chris Gentles (Glasgow), Ian Hart (Glasgow) and Will Pare (Edinburgh) Re-Classify Category 3: Mark Daly (Lanarkshire) Re-Classify Category 3 Development: Calum Foreman (Fife), Lee Paterson (Angus & Perthshire), Jonathan Siluk (Aberdeen), and Kevin Totten (Lanarkshire)