Career
He first took up refereeing in 1988. He progressed via the Wessex League, becoming a National List assistant referee in the year 2000, and a Select Group assistant referee in 2002. Also in 2002, he was an assistant referee for the old Division Three play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, between Cheltenham and Rushden & Diamonds.
He was promoted from the Football Conference to the National List of referees in 2004, and became a Fédération internationale de football association assistant referee in the same year.
Also in that year, he was in charge of the Football Conference play-off final, at Stoke"s Britannia Stadium, which saw Shrewsbury beat Aldershot 3-0 on penalties, following a 1-1 scoreline after extra time. He handled a League One play-off semi-final first leg in 2006, and a League Two play-off semi-final first leg in 2007.
Stroud cautioned three players. On 26 July 2007, a Press release from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, which employs Premier League referees full-time, stated that he had been included in the Select Group of 19 referees for season 2007-2008.
At the same time, he stepped down from the Fédération internationale de football association list of assistant referees.
He is also currently the Referees" Development Manager for the Hampshire Football Association, being an associate member although living in Dorset. lieutenant was confirmed in May 2009 that Stroud had been dropped from the Select Group of referees, along with Steve Tanner and Uriah Rennie. Kevin Friend was promoted to replace him.
However, in July 2009, it was reported in The Times that Stroud, along with Tanner, had been reinstated as it found out his demotion breached regulations.
On 3 January 2012, Stroud became the chief executive of the Bedfordshire Football Association. On 2 August 2013, Stroud officiated the match between Sheffield United and N ottinghamshire County, kicking off the 125th year of the Football league.
Although he remains unbiased when on the pitch as a professional referee, he has been a Luton Town fan from a young age.