The first female referee to take charge of an English Football League match will officiate at Harrogate Town on Easter Monday.

Rebecca Welch, from Warrington, has been appointed to referee Town’s game against Port Vale.

She has so far refereed in the Women’s Super League and men’s games in the National League.

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But the game at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road will be a landmark occasion, which Welch hopes will encourage other women to take up the whistle.

She said:

“Initially I wasn’t really aware of being appointed as the first female referee.

“I was just given the appointment and I was over the moon but when you kind of reflect on it you think you’re the first woman ever to do this, so I’m extremely proud and my family’s extremely proud as well.

“I do think it’s important to show that women who are in the top 1% of their category can proceed to the next level so it definitely makes others down the pyramid look up and know that they can achieve the same.

“It shows that there is a real opportunity to young girls who are wondering if they are able take the whistle, or are if they are already a referee they can aspire to be an EFL referee or like Sian Massey-Ellis, who is currently operating in the Premier League.”

In February 2010, Amy Fearn took charge of the last 20 minutes of Coventry City’s match against Nottingham Forest as an injury replacement.

However, Welch will become the first female referee to be officially appointed to an EFL fixture.