REBECCA WELCH will become the first woman to referee a men’s Championship match when she takes charge of Birmingham versus Preston on Saturday.

Welch, 39, from Washington in Tyne and Wear, already holds the honour of being the first woman to referee an English Football League match when she led the team of officials for the League Two match between Harrogate and Port Vale in April 2021.

Last year she became the first woman to referee an FA Cup third-round tie, also at Birmingham, as Blues lost 1-0 to Plymouth on January 8.