We will be officiated for the second time this season by referee Andy Davies at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this weekend.
Andy was in charge of our game against Bristol City at Deepdale back in September, that ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, which was his first trip to PR1 in 12 months.
Before that we last saw the referee at PNE for the early season local derby with Bolton Wanderers in 2018/19; the game finishing 2-2. That was the officials’ second-only time of taking charge at Deepdale having made the long trip up from Hampshire for the game.
His first trip north was back in January 2018, when he was referee for a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City.
Whilst that was his first game as Deepdale, the match official has also taken charge of North End games away from home in the past, including the opening game of the 2016/17 at Reading.
This is his eighth year on the EFL lists, but only his seventh ever PNE game. He took charge of 2015/16’s goalless draw at Brighton & Hove Albion back in October 2015, having previously been the man with the whistle for a Lilywhites fixture back in 2012 at Leyton Orient.
This will be his 16th game of the new season, having issued 46 cautions and two red cards in the previous seven games. In a bizarre fact, his other QPR game this season was also at home to Bristol City… and the game also ended 3-3!
He will be assisted by Rob Smith and Darren Blunden and the fourth official will be Will Finnie.