Taking charge of this weekend’s live Sky encounter with local rivals Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium is match official Darren England.
Darren last refereed PNE in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough back at the beginning of October; this is, however, his first Latics game of the 2019/20 season.
Last season, he officiated two North End games; our win over Queens Park Rangers at Deepdale in August 2018, when Alan Browne was the match winner on the opening day of the season and then the thrilling 3-3 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park in what proved to be Steve Bruce’s last game in charge of our opponents.
In 2017/18, his first on the Select Group Two list, Darren took charge of three North End games, another draw at Middlesbrough in August, the 2-2 clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage and the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in February, so the QPR game was his first and only visit to Deepdale thus far.
In total so far this season, he officiated in 22 games, issuing 56 cautions and no red cards, his last game being the 3-2 home comeback victory for Leeds United against Millwall at Elland Road.
This Saturday lunchtime he will be assisted by Nick Greenhalgh and Nik Barbard, whilst the fourth official will be Rob Jones.