After refereeing the Lilywhites five times in 2017/18, Geoff Eltringham takes charge of his first PNE game of the new season at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Having officiated our early season game at Derby County, Geoff also took charge of the Boxing Day trip to Barnsley, our January win at Nottingham Forest, March’s victory over Bristol City at Deepdale and finally our goalless draw with Norwich City in mid-April.
He also refereed one North End game in 2016/17, the home clash with our Barnsley, having also done one the previous season, the 1-0 home win over Reading.
The year prior to that he took charge of three PNE games, including the 2-0 home win over Peterborough United in March. The previous season he also took charge of North End twice, both of those at Deepdale - the 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers back in November 2013 and then the goalless draw with Sheffield United in March.
The County Durham official is an experienced referee who had taken charge of North End a number of other times in the past including the very first game after the departure of Graham Westley, when John Dreyer took the team against an in-form Bournemouth side and ran out 2-0 winners.
He also looked after a thriller back in 2010, when North End overcame Crystal Palace 4-3 at Deepdale.
Geoff also refereed Leeds three times last season, all at Elland Road, whilst this year he has so far officiated seven games, issuing 24 yellow cards, but no red cards.
For the game, the referee will be assisted by Billy Smallwood and Philip Dermott, whilst Steve Martin will act as the fourth official.