The opening game of the 2019/20 season sees a familiar face taking charge of the Lilywhites’ trip to The Den to take on Millwall.
The appointed referee is Stephen Martin, who also had the whistle for the same fixture last season, when Alex Neil’s men came out 3-1 winners, back in February.
That was one of the match official’s three games officiating both North End and the Lions in 2018/19, the others being PNE’s wins at Nottingham Forest and at home to Ipswich Town and Neil Harris’ side’s win over Derby County at home and their New Year’s Day win at Portman Road.
Since coming onto the EFL lists back in 2012/13, the Staffordshire referee has officiated 13 North End games, at least one a season for all the years he has been on the league groupings.
His first game was a goalless draw against Leyton Orient back in March 2013, whilst other memorable games include our 3-0 win at Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup in 2014, a 3-0 home win over Cardiff City in 2016 and a 3-1 win at Oldham’s Boundary Park in 2014.
He has also refereed seven Millwall games in that time, this being his fourth visit to The Den since joining the EFL as a match official.
The other members of the third team involved in Saturday’s game are assistants Andrew Fox and Nigel Lugg and fourth official Alan Young.