Dowd given FA Cup final whistle

Referee Phil Dowd (GETTY IMAGES)

Phil Dowd will referee the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool on 5 May. The 49-year-old will take charge of the Wembley showpiece for the first time.

The Staffordshire official was also the man in the middle for this season's Community Shield, as well as the 2010 Carling Cup final.

Dowd said: "It will certainly be the highlight of my career so far."