About Us

The Ref Stop was born on the pitch when Dale Wilson (Level 3 Referee), while officiating a match, realised he was facing a common problem: struggling to find high-quality kit and equipment from a supplier that truly understood referees.

That moment sparked an idea. Drawing on Dale’s military background, he began researching the industry, exploring brand partnerships, and building the kind of referee-focused community he had long been looking for — all while working a full-time job.

What started as a side project quickly gained momentum. After developing a business plan, launching a website, and growing an online presence, Dale took the leap and committed to The Ref Stop full-time. Today, it’s the UK’s leading supplier of referee and match official kit and equipment, proudly working with The FA, County FAs, Puma, Adidas, Joma, Fox 40, and more.

As a veteran-part-owned business, The Ref Stop is deeply rooted in community values, service, and respect. Every year during the remembrance period, they promote and sell poppies for referee kits — donating all profits to The Royal British Legion to honour those who have served.

Their commitment to inclusivity runs just as deep. From donating over £1,000 in kit to female referees, to actively supporting Football v Homophobia through donations and awareness campaigns, The Ref Stop aligns its efforts with The FA’s 2023–26 strategy to create a more welcoming and diverse football community.

With continued growth and success, they’ve expanded their team and are constantly developing new products and services to better support the referee family.