Sam Allison

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Sam Allison

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|full_name =

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|10|1|df=y}}

|birth_place = Chippenham, England

|height =

|position = Midfielder

|youthyears1 =

|youthclubs1 = Swindon Town

|years1 =

|clubs1 = Bristol City

|caps1 = 0

|goals1 = 0

|years2 =

|clubs2 = Bournemouth

|caps2 = 0

|goals2 = 0

|years3 =

|clubs3 = Exeter City

|caps3 = 0

|goals3 = 0

|years4 = 2001–2002

|clubs4 = Clevedon Town

|caps4 = 22

|goals4 = 7

|years5 = 2002–2003

|clubs5 = Bath City

|caps5 =

|goals5 =

|years6 = 2003

|clubs6 = Salisbury City

|caps6 = 4

|goals6 = 0

|years7 = 2003–2011

|clubs7 = Chippenham Town

|caps7 = 188

|goals7 = 34

|years8 = 2011–2013

|clubs8 = Frome Town

|caps8 = 9

|goals8 = 0

|totalcaps = 223+

|totalgoals = 41+

|nationalyears1 =

|nationalteam1 = England schoolboys

|nationalcaps1 =

|nationalgoals1 =

|nationalyears2 =

|nationalteam2 = Great Britain schoolboys

|nationalcaps2 =

|nationalgoals2 =

}}

Sam Allison (born 1 October 1980) is an English professional football referee and former player who officiates in the English Football League.

Playing career

Allison played as a midfielder for Swindon Town, Bristol City, Bournemouth, Exeter City, Clevedon Town, Bath City, Salisbury City, Chippenham Town, and Frome Town, as well as for England and Great Britain schoolboys.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/sam-allison|title=Sam Allison | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive|website=www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://efl.com/news/2023/march/from-firefighter-to-match-official-sam-allisons-refereeing-journey/|title=From firefighter to match official: Sam Allison's refereeing journey|date=23 March 2023|website=EFL}}

Refereeing career

Allison worked as a firefighter and as a match official in the English Football League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/3829280|title=Sam Allison: Who is the history-making referee?|website=www.premierleague.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://blackmorevale.net/former-wiltshire-firefighter-sam-allison-to-referee-in-the-premier-league/|title=Former Wiltshire firefighter Sam Allison to referee in the Premier League | The New Blackmore Vale Magazine | In Print & Online|first=Paul|last=Jones|date=15 December 2023|website=The New Blackmore Vale Magazine}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23993425.former-firefighter-set-become-premier-league-referee/|title=Former firefighter becomes first black referee in Premier League for 15 years|date=15 December 2023|website=Bournemouth Echo}}

On 26 December 2023 he became the first black referee in the Premier League in 15 years, since Uriah Rennie.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67815639|title=Why has it taken 15 years for a black Premier League ref?|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/sam-allison-becomes-first-black-referee-in-premier-league-for-15-years-and-only-the-second-ever-13037845|title=Sam Allison becomes first black referee in Premier League for 15 years and only the second ever|website=Sky News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13037702/sam-allison-comes-first-black-referee-in-premier-league-for-15-years-in-boxing-day-match-between-sheffield-united-and-luton|title=Sam Allison becomes first Black referee in Premier League for 15 years in Boxing Day match between Sheffield United and Luton|website=Sky Sports}}