It’s a first Preston North End game of the season for Tony Harrington when he is the match official for Saturday’s clash with Gary Rowett’s Millwall at Deepdale.
Last season the north east official took charge of three PNE games, the March trip to Reading, the 2-0 cup win at Leeds United back in August 2018 and the home game against West Bromwich Albion that autumn.
Tony has been a familiar face over recent seasons. In 2017/18 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 another 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 ninth 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 27th game of the season, having refereed opponents Millwall’s 2-1 defeat at Reading in November and their third round Emirates FA Cup win over Newport County at The Den and so far he had issued 64 cautions and three red cards.
He will be joined by assistants Jonathan Hunt and Tim Wood, whilst Lewis Smith will be the fourth official.