It’s a second game of the season for Tony Harrington taking charge of a North End game on Saturday, having officiated the 2-0 cup win at Leeds back in August.
Tony has been a familiar face over recent seasons. Last season he visited Deepdale twice, the Lilywhites’ opening day 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in Alex Neil’s first competitive game in charge of the club, and our Bank Holiday Monday clash with Derby County.
The previous season he also took charge of two North End games, the 1-1 draw away at Nottingham Forest and the thrilling 4-2 win over Brentford at Deepdale.
The match official, who is now in his eighth year on the EFL list, has also been to PR1 on a number of previous occasions in the past, including the 2014/15 penalty win against Oldham Athletic in the JPT and the club’s last two home league games against Notts County, including a 2-0 win over the Magpies at Deepdale in February 2014.
This will be the Cleveland referee’s seventh game of the season, having refereed opponents West Bromwich Albion’s 7-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers and so far he had issued 19 cautions and one red card; to Ryan Ledson at Elland Road.
He will be joined by assistants Tim Wood and John Flynn, whilst Mark Heywood will be the fourth official.