This Wednesday night’s match official, for our first live TV game of the season, is also taking charge of his first PNE match of 2017/18.
The referee is Peter Bankes, who actually took charge of the corresponding fixture last season! That was his first of two North End games in 2016/17, also officiating the game at Elland Road in April.
Last season’s clash with the Villans was his third visit to Deepdale as a referee. His first was the 2014/15 season’s 3-2 home win over Port Vale in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and then in 2015/16 season he was here for the last game of 2015, when we defeated Hull City 1-0 just after Christmas.
This is his fourth year on the EFL referee’s list and his second year in the Select Group Two, having also taken charge of our win at Chesterfield in February 2015, when Joe Garner scored twice on his return from a period out injured.
The assistants on Wednesday evening will be Shaun Hudson and Matthew McGrath, with fellow select group two official Darren Bond acting as fourth official.