For many top flight clubs and managers in the Premier League this decision by Mike Riley, Professional Game Match Officials Limited general manager, has come just short of four years too late.
Attwell became the youngest referee to officiate in England's top division, when aged 25, he overlooked the game at Ewood Park between Blackburn and Hull in 2008 after just one year on the national list.
So why has he been demoted?
The above game finished without incident, but this can not be said for many other games that Attwell has been in charge of.
High profile errors.
1. He incorrectly awarded the 'beach ball' goal between Liverpool and Sunderland in 2010.
2. December of last year he sent off then Bolton defender Gary Cahill for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity, despite the foul taking place on the halfway line. This was overturned by the FA.
3. He was accused of 'losing control' of a Derby/Nottingham Forest Derby in which he disallowed two Derby goals in the final stages, booked eight players, and sent off Nottingham Forests Lewis McGugan.
4. He awarded Sunderland a free-kick inside their own half against Liverpool. A Sunderland defender knocked the ball back for his goalkeeper to take the kick, however Attwell ruled the play to be active, and allowed Torres to take the ball and score.
And obviously he allowed the infamous ghost-goal at Reading back in 2008.
I shall let you make your own minds up.
Removing an official half way through the season could be deemed as harsh, however the high standards that the PGMO referees strive for in today's modern game, are not helped by such high-profile errors.
Hopefully he will grasp the chance with both hands, gain the necessary experience, and should bounce back to become one of England's top officials as he was once tipped to be.
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