Lee Probert from Wiltshire will take charge of Rangers’ first trip to the newly built Cardiff City Stadium.
He will be assisted by Mr A Newbold and Mr D C Richards, with the fourth official Mr Steve Bratt, the referee that took charge of the Carling Cup victory at Exeter City.
Mr Probert joined the National List of referees in 2003 before his eventual promotion to the Select List in 2007.
His first game in charge in the Football League was Torquay United’s surprise away win against Northampton Town, with Jason Fowler hitting the winning goal just after the hour mark.
He ended the season dishing out 82 cards in 28 games with seven reds giving him a card average of 3.18 in his first season in League football.
Mr Probert was given Championship football in only his second full season in the Football League and in no time managed to put himself in QPR folklore for three rather poor games.
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Refereeing Rangers |
When QPR travelled to a sodden Molineux in October 2004, the match was played out in frankly farcical conditions with a sizeable puddle in the middle of the turf.
A Carl Cort brace saw off the visiting QPR with Kevin Gallen’s sublime late consolation all the away fans could take away from a clash that disappointingly went ahead.
There was a sending off at Loftus Road as Rangers met Preston North End after the turn of the year and while Eddie Lewis was given his marching orders for the Lilywhites, that wasn’t the one I make reference to.
Jude the Cat was being his pesky self, giving cheer to the support and making his way back to the tunnel after the start to the second half. The linesman complained he was confusing him with the hooped shirt and Jude was abruptly sent off.
I would advise the linesman that QPR players don’t make a habit of wearing big furry heads when attempting to score goals – though in light of the recent goalscoring crisis it may be an idea.
Paul Furlong’s opener was cancelled out with a debut goal by David Nugent following his signing from Bury, before Chris Lucketti won the game for a resilient North End side.
The final and perhaps the most ridiculous debacle of that season was at Bramall Lane where Rangers battled hard to haul themselves level against a commanding Sheffield United side.
Martin Rowlands’ effort from distance put the R’s infront before a Danny Webber brace either side of the break put the Blades in front. Kevin Gallen levelled with a deflected effort because the madness ensued.
In the 90th minute Mr Probert spotted an infringement that no-one else saw, no appeals from Sheffield United players and inexplicably a penalty was given for a push. Andy Gray dispatched the home crowd into raptures.
There was still time for yet more embarrassment as the referee sent off Andrew Davies for falling over, and Steve Kabba’s bunny hop over the top of his was deemed worthy of a second yellow, suffice to say Holloway and QPR were left fuming once more.
Two years later he took charge of QPR’s trip to the Valley to take on the recently relegated Charlton Athletic. This time he made a few more friends with his more balanced approach.
A penalty was spurned by Martin Rowlands in a dominant second half display, as Marc Nygaard somehow got away with mauling Nicky Weaver, who didn’t seem to complain, and Adam Bolder stabbed home for the only goal of the game.
His final game in charge of QPR was last season in a victory over Cardiff City, and it brought with it its usual controversy with another couple of red cards – Gavin Mahon’s winner was thus overshadowed by two moments of madness from the Bluebirds.
Darren Purse’s over-zealous challenge earned him a red before the half-hour mark, before Miguel Comminges’ petulance saw him given his marching orders three minutes from time – no surprise that both were rescinded by the Welsh FA.
He has taken charge of two Premier League games so far this season, dipping into the Championship for the first time this campaign. Already 12 yellows in two games has set his intentions for the forthcoming season.
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Mr Probert & Queens Park Rangers |
Wolves 2-1 QPR – 23-10-2004
Goals: Carl Cort 22, 70; Kevin Gallen 90
Booked: Colin Cameron, Mark Kennedy, Kenny Miller
QPR 1-2 Preston North End – 12-02-2005
Goals: Paul Furlong 26; David Nugent 67, Chris Lucketti 75.
Booked: Gareth Ainsworth, Andrew Davies, Kevin Gallen, Georges Santos; Claude Davis, Eddie Lewis.
Sent Off: Eddie Lewis
Sheffield United 3-2 QPR – 09-04-2005
Goals: Danny Webber 43, 53, Andy Gray 90pen; Martin Rowlands 26, Kevin Gallen 66
Booked: Marcus Bignot, Lee Cook, Andrew Davies, Georges Santos
Sent Off: Andrew Davies.
Charlton Athletic 0-1 QPR – 27-10-2007
Goals: Adam Bolder 72
Booked: Andy Reid, Lloyd Sam.
QPR 1-0 Cardiff City – 08-11-2008
Goals: Gavin Mahon 80
Booked: Patrick Agyemang; Miguel Comminges, Stephen McPhail
Sent Off: Darren Purse, Miguel Comminges
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Mr Probert & Cardiff City |
Cardiff City 0-2 Plymouth Argyle – 26-12-2005
Goals: Paul Wotton 72pen, David Norris 80
Booked: Cameron Jerome, Jeff Whitley; Tony Capaldi, David Norris
Sent Off: Darren Purse
Cardiff City 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday – 04-03-2006
Goals: Cameron Jerome 19
Booked: None
Cardiff City 1-2 Watford – 19-09-2007
Goals: Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink 61; Darius Henderson 17, 78.
Booked: Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink
Cardiff City 1-0 Hull City – 12-03-2008
Goals: Stephen McPail 2pen
Booked: Tony Capaldi, Glenn Loovens, Riccardo Scimeca; Michael Turner
QPR 1-0 Cardiff City – 08-11-2008
Goals: Gavin Mahon 80
Booked: Patrick Agyemang; Miguel Comminges, Stephen McPhail
Sent Off: Darren Purse, Miguel Comminges
Cardiff City 3-1 Burnley – 13-04-2009
Goals: Jay Bothroyd 74, Ross McCormack 85, 90; Robbie Blake 84
Booked: Mark Kennedy, Clark Carlisle, Wade Elliott, Christian Kalvenes, Rhys Williams.
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