Billericay referee Andy D'Urso is to officiate his second season in the FA Carling Premiership after getting the nod from the Football Association.

Officials at Lancaster Gate have informed D'Urso that, following his first year refereeing at the top of the game, he will again be ruling proceedings at the country's top soccer venues.

"Obviously I am delighted to be returning to the Premiership," said D'Urso, who came under the media spotlight last term as he had to cope with the pressures of his debut year.

He revealed: "It will be be good for me to begin the new campaign with a season's experience under my belt."

D'Urso, 37, who lives with his family in Crays Hill, has been refereeing for over 20 years and earned his call-up to the top-flight last year after plying his trade for six years in the Nationwide League.

During last season he officiated over 20 Premiership games at some of the country's top grounds, including Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge and Anfield.

However, things will be slightly busier for the top flight's men in black this coming season as D'Urso explains: "Last term there were originally 22 referees summoned for the Premiership.

"This figure was then cut to 21 after a fellow colleague failed a late fitness test.

"However, this coming season there's only going to be 20 assigned referees and we are all to be monitored for the first three months of the season."

He continued: "Obviously the standard of refereeing has to be paramount so the FA will demote any officials who are not making the grade.

"The idea is that anybody who excels in the Nationwide League will come up to the Premiership at the expense of a top-flight ref."

D'Urso is confident that his outings last season will stand him in good stead when the new term begins in August.

"Like all new jobs, It did take a while to settle down last season," he confessed.

"The pace of the Premiership is a lot faster and the entire game is so much more intense.

"It's also a well known fact that players know you are the 'new boy' and may push their luck - more so than with an experienced referee.

"But I learned some valuable lessons early on in my first Premiership year and I feel fully prepared for the coming campaign.

"With my regular gym work I'm in great shape and now that I've got my 'rookie' year behind me there won't be any surprises next time around - I'm raring to go."

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