In the first game of 2018, David Coote takes charge of his second Deepdale game of the season.
The select group two official, took charge of October’s clash with Brentford, following two visits last season as well, including February’s 2-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers and also the first home game of the season when we took on Derby County in PR1.
Before that Rams clash, he last refereed the Lilywhites in their goalless draw at the New York Stadium against Rotherham United in 2015/16.
He was the referee of two PNE games the year before that as well. His first game of 2014/15 was the entertaining clash with Milton Keynes at Deepdale back in December 2014. He then took charge of the 2-2 draw at home to Gillingham in April of that year too.
In 2013/14 his two games in charge of North End were the 2-2 draw at home to Bradford City early on in the campaign and then at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park for our 2-1 win over the Super Whites in February 2014.
So far this season, he has taken charge of 17 games, issuing 60 cautions and just one red card, his last game being Norwich City’s 2-0 away win at Birmingham City on Boxing Day.
He will be assisted by Robert Merchant and Billy Smallwood on the line, which the fourth official will be Joe Hull.