For our third Lancashire derby of the season, one of the most experienced Championship officials, Andy Madley, will take charge of a North End this Monday, as we travel to face Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
The referee will be taking charge of his fifth North End game this season – the most of any select group referee.
He was the man with the whistle for our home clash with Stoke City back in August, which ended 2-2, the 4-1 win over local rivals Blackburn Rovers in November, our recent 4-1 win at Queens Park Rangers and the victory over Bolton Wanderers at the University of Bolton Stadium in February.
He has been in charge of some of the Lilywhites’ best moments over the years, most notably the League One Play-Off Final in the 2014/15 season, where a Jermaine Beckford hat-trick led to a convincing 4-0 over Swindon Town at Wembley.
Last season, Andy refereed four PNE games. He oversaw home victories against Reading and the final day 2-1 win over Burton Albion, as well as our games away to Ipswich Town at Portman Road and the return fixture against Reading.
He was in charge for a previous trip to Loftus Road, back in the 2016/17 season. Jermaine Beckford was on the scoresheet and Nedum Onuoha scored an own goal in a 2-0 victory as Simon Grayson’s returned from London with all three points, their first win of the season.
During that campaign, Andy refereed four more North End games including both games against Newcastle United and a 5-0 victory at Deepdale against Bristol City, where Callum Robinson netted twice.
As well as the aforementioned Play-Off Final, the official also had the whistle for another 4-0 victory in the 2014/15 season. North End convincingly beat Scunthorpe United away from home, as Joe Garner netted twice.
He was the referee for our famous Capital One Cup victory over rivals Blackpool in the 2013/14 season. Tom Clarke netted the winner three minutes from time to secure a famous 1-0 win over our rivals.
So far this season, he has refereed 34 games in all competitions, issuing 99 yellow cards and three red cards, his last game being Sheffield United’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Good Friday.
It will be the second time that he will referee the Latics this season, with his last game being their 3-0 home defeat against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day.
On Monday, the ref will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Adam Crysell, with another experienced Championship official, Jeremy Simpson as the fourth official.