Mathew James (umpire)

Mathew James (born 7 April 1974 in Essendon, Victoria) is a former Australian rules football field umpire most notably in the Australian Football League.

Umpiring career

James began umpiring in 1991 with the Footscray District Football League. In 1994 joined the Victorian Football League where he umpired until joining the AFL in 1999.

AFL

His debut AFL match was in Round 1 of the 1999 AFL season between Collingwood and Hawthorn.

In 2001, his third year on the AFL umpire panel, he umpired his first AFL Grand Final. He also umpired the 2003 and 2004 AFL Grand Finals. James was also named the All-Australian Umpire in 2004.^[1][2][3]

International rules

He was the Australian referee in two Test matches in the 2005 International Rules Series between Australia and Ireland.^[4]

Retirement

In May 2010 he announced his retirement from umpiring after a persistent calf injury prevented him from umpiring in 2010. He had umpired 206 AFL games, including 16 finals.^[1][3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Umpire Mathew James calls it quits". Herald Sun. 27 May 2010. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/umpire-mathew-james-quits/story-e6frf9jf-1225871973415. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 
2. ^ "5. Mathew James". Australian Football League. http://www.afl.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=53091. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Umpire Profiles - Mathew James". Australian Football League Umpires Association. http://www.aflua.com.au/index.asp?d=5A4C5A717251477C7008060A010704145A4C5A71784456587D710A080404030201. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 
4. ^ "International Series". Australian Football League Umpires Association. http://www.aflua.com.au/index.asp?d=5A4C5A717251477C7008060A0E0605. Retrieved 27 May 2010. 

Awards
Preceded by Stephen McBurney	All Australian Umpire 2004	Succeeded by Darren Goldspink

Persondata
Name	James, Mathew
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Date of birth	7 April 1974
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