Silverwood bows out after 15 years

Leading Super League referee Richard Silverwood has called time on his 15-year career.

The 40-year-old, rugby league’s longest-serving full-time official, has been suspended for the last month after the Rugby Football League announced they were conducting an investigation into what they called alleged “inappropriate behaviour”.

“I have had an outstanding career as a referee,” said Silverwood, whose last match was at the Super League Magic Weekend in Newcastle in May.

“I have no regrets, but I am now looking to the next chapter of my career.”

It is understood that Silverwood made the decision to retire before the RFL completed their investigation.

The Mirfield-based official, who became Super League’s youngest referee when he took charge of a game between Salford and Halifax in 2001 at the age of 24, controlled more than 400 Super League games in his career, including three Grand Finals and the 2010 World Club Challenge.

Silverwood was also referee for three Challenge Cup finals and was in charge of the 2013 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Old Trafford.

RFL chief operating officer Ralph Rimmer said: “We would like to thank Richard for his contribution as a referee at the sport’s highest level over the past decade and a half.”

It is understood Silverwood was due to face an employment tribunal after being in hot water for the third time in his career.

In 2011, he was dropped following an off-field incident at a match between Huddersfield and Leeds and in 2009 he was suspended for what the RFL described as an alleged breach of their information technology policy.

The RFL have also been investigating an incident involving another of their fulltime referees, Sam Ansell, but have yet to announce a conclusion.