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Bodenham to stand as umpire

Image: Bodenham: passion for cricket

Martin Bodenham will become the first former top-flight football referee to stand as a fully-fledged first-class umpire next summer.

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Former top-flight football referee promoted to cricket's first-class list

Martin Bodenham will become the first former top-flight football referee to stand as a fully-fledged first-class umpire next summer. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Monday that Bodenham - as well as ex-England spinner Nick Cook, Michael Gough and David Millns - will join the list in 2009. "I am absolutely delighted to be on the full list," said Bodenham. "I began playing cricket when I was around 10 or 11 years old and love the game. "When I retired as a football referee 10 years ago I took up umpiring and continued to play 2nd XI league cricket. "Cricket is and always has been my major sporting passion."