Anthony Bates from Staffordshire will take charge of the R`s FA Cup clash against Burnley.
Promoted to the referee`s list in 1996, 47 year old Mr Bates has had refereeing career spanning over ten years. As yet however he hasn’t reached the heights of the Premier League, refereeing mainly across the board in the Football League.
Mr Bates took charge of the R`s 2-1 win over Cardiff City in the league cup back in 1999, as Richard Langley and a Jason Fowler own goal saw the R`s through against the Bluebirds who included Matthew Brazier in their line-up.
Probably Mr Bates most memorable R`s game, was one where Rangers witnessed their relegation from Division One. Delroy Facey`s last minute winner condemned the R`s to the drop, with Huddersfield fans dancing and gloating – little did they know they would drop that season never to return.
Bournemouth travelled to Loftus Road in Division Two with Richard Hughes being sent off for the visitors in the final minute in a 1-1 draw in W12. While in the following season Richard Langley`s stunning hat-rick away at Blackpool under the watchful eye of Mr Bates all but secured the R`s passage into the play-offs.
The following season Mr Bates took charge of the R`s at Bloomfield Road once again, this time Martin Rowlands slotting the winner after a goal-keeping master-class from Chris Day saved Rangers under a barrage of pressure.
Mr Bates officiated two Rangers games upon their return to the Championship, the first was Lee Cook`s return to Vicarage Road in a 3-0 defeat with Gavin Mahon going into the book for the hosts, while Martin Rowlands netted a solitary goal in Rangers away win at Rotherham.
Mr Bates has FA Cup pedigree when it comes to QPR as he presided over a controversial late equaliser against Luton Town.
In the 2006/07 season Dexter Blackstock handed the R`s the lead on a rainsoaked pitch in W12. Inspired by Rowan Vine, Luton Town came back with Vine himself netting just before half time before Warren Feeney put the Hatters in front after the break.
However Shabazz Baidoo stole the show as his effort allegedly punched into the goal was met with delight from the Loftus Road crowd. The R`s went on to lose the replay with an own goal straight out of the Zesh Rehman repertoire.
The other game that season was when the R`s clung on to a goal-less draw away at Leeds United, who were subsequently relegated.
An Akos Buzsaky trademark stunner saw the R`s take the lead against Coventry City last season, but Mr Bates then saw Coventry peg the R`s back with a last minute goal from Kevin Kyle rounding off the win.
This campaign Mr Bates oversaw Rangers disappointing away draw at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea City. A goalless draw that on the face of it looks a decent result, however when you consider the Swans were without a goalkeeper for over an hour of the fixture and the R`s failing to register a shot on target, it was a real disappointment.
Iain Dowie ultimately paid the price with his job, as Flavio Briatore wouldn`t stand for what he deemed negative football and a selection of poor results.
So far this campaign Mr Bates has taken charge of 21 games, handing out 45 yellow cards and two reds, giving him an average card rating of 2.24.
Mr Bates & Queens Park Rangers
Cardiff City 1-2 QPR – 10th August 1999.
Goals: Jason Bowen 67; Richard Langley 32, Jason Fowler 65og.
Booked: Michael Ford; Richard Langley, Danny Maddix
Huddersfield Town 2-1 QPR – 21st April 2001.
Goals: Dean Gorre 33, Delroy Facey 90; Andy Thomson 43.
Booked: Andy Booth; Peter Crouch, Chris Plummer, Karl Ready.
QPR 1-1 Bournemouth – 22nd January 2002.
Goals: Steve Palmer 39; Warren Feeney 60.
Booked: Marcus Bignot; Richard Hughes.
Sent Off: Richard Hughes.
Blackpool 1-3 QPR – 29th January 2003.
Goals: Scott Taylor 90; Richard Langley 35, 65, 85.
Booked: Mike Flynn, John Hills; Marc Bircham, Clarke Carlisle, Kevin McLeod.
Blackpool 0-1 QPR – 10th January 2004.
Goals: Martin Rowlands 38
Booked: Danny Coid, Gareth Evans, Richie Wellens; Marc Bircham, Clarke Carlisle, Kevin Gallen, Martin Rowlands.
Watford 3-0 QPR – 9th August 2004.
Goals: Danny Webber 12, 59, Bruce Dyer 45.
Booked: Neil Cox, Gavin Mahon; Kevin McLeod, Martin Rowlands.
Rotherham United 0-1 QPR – 19th March 2005.
Goals: Martin Rowlands 53.
Booked: John Mullin, Michael Keane, Martin McIntosh; Paul Furlong, Martin Rowlands, Danny Shittu.
QPR 2-2 Luton Town – 6th January 2007.
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 32, Shabazz Baidoo 76; Rowan Vine 45, Warren Feeney 46.
Booked: Leon Barnett, Richard Langley, Steve Robinson.
Leeds United 0-0 QPR – 20th February 2007.
Goals: None
Booked: Jonathan Douglas, Hayden Foxe; Dexter Blackstock, Lee Camp, Danny Cullip, Sampsa Timoska.
QPR 1-2 Coventry City – 6th November 2007
Goals: Akos Buzsaky 50; Michael Mifsud 61, Kevin Kyle 90.
Booked: None
Swansea City 0-0 QPR – 21st October 2008
Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Mikele Leigertwood, Martin Rowlands, Damion Stewart.
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