Trevor Kettle of Berkshire takes charge of the R`s match away at Ipswich this weekend.
The 41 year old official has been part of the league refereeing circuit since 2003, but one of the major incident of his career came prior to this, being the linesman in the 2002 Worthington Cup final between Blackburn Rovers and Tottenham Hotspur.
Mr Kettle has officiated Rangers six times, the first of which was back in the R`s promotion season, and despite reducing Peterborough to 10 men, sending off defender Sagi Burton, Rangers were unable to capitalise with Ian Holloway branding the official, “Trigger Arm” because of his haste to give decisions to the opposition.
In April 2006, Kettle took charge of the R`s 1-1 draw at home to Derby County, Marc Nygaard broke the deadlock before now Watford striker Tommy Smith pegged the Rams level. Another red card from the pocket of Mr. Kettle, Darren Moore sent off for a second bookable offence, his holding throughout the game should have perhaps warranted a sending off earlier than the 88th minute.
A tale of two goals ensued in the following season, one allowed; one disallowed. Southampton were the visitors to Loftus Road, and when Grzegorz Rasiak sent Simon Royce sprawling one would be forgiven that in this climate of officiating that the referee would rule with the keeper, it was not to be. Down the other end barely moments later, Dexter Blackstock put the ball away under slightly less controversial challenge, and the referee blew for a foul. Inconsistency, thy name is Kettle! Bradley Wright-Phillips a Rangers transfer target previously, rounded the scoring off in the 90th minute.
Mr. Kettle made it 3 sending offs in 4 Rangers matches, when on the final day of the season he sent off Sami Timoska, albeit justifiably, for a second bookable offence. Rangers blooded the youth in a 1-1 draw that blew away any fleeting hope of a playoff place for Stoke City. Martin Rowlands 6th minute strike was cancelled out by once Rangers trialist Mamady Sidibe.
Trevor Kettle reffed a struggling Rangers under the guidance of caretaker manager Mick Harford, to a creditable draw against Preston at Deepdale. Kettle said no to a half hearted penalty appeal from North End, before opting to trust the judgement of a gormless linesman over his own. Now Plymouth Argyle midfielder Paul Gallagher had his spot kick saved by an inspired Lee Camp. A certain Patrick Agyemang started for the opposition and couldn`t get the ball past the impressive Camp.
A new game, a new manager for Mr Kettle as he oversaw Luigi De Canio`s QPR beat Charlton Athletic by a goal to nil. Dexter Blackstock began to find his feet in the division after a lengthy goalscoring drought, and converted a chance following a slip by Paddy McCarthy.
So far this season Mr Kettle has presided over 11 games handing out 30 yellow cards and two reds, most recently sending off Southend United loanee Dan Harding. This means he dishes out an average of 2.7 yellow cards per fixture.
Mr Kettle & Queens Park Rangers
Peterbrough 0-0 QPR – 18th October 2003
Goals: None
Booked: Sagi Burton, Andy Legg; Marcus Bean, Terrell Forbes, Steve Palmer.
Sent Off: Sagi Burton.
QPR 1-1 Derby County – 15th April 2006
Goals: Marc Nygaard 59; Tommy Smith 67.
Booked: Stefan Bailey; Darren Moore
Sent Off: Darren Moore
QPR 0-2 Southampton – 20th January 2007
Goals: Grzegorz Rasiak 81, Bradley Wright-Phillips 90.
Booked: None
QPR 1-1 Stoke City – 6th May 2007
Goals: Martin Rowlands 6pen; Mamady Sidibe 84.
Booked: Stefan Bailey, Adam Bolder, Jake Cole, Martin Rowlands, Dominic Shimmin, Sampsa Timoska; Salif Diao, Jonathan Fortune
Sent Off: Sampsa Timoska.
Preston North End 0-0 QPR – 23rd October 2007
Goals: None
Booked: Callum Davidson, Youl Mauwene; Adam Boler, Michael Mancienne, Martin Rowlands, Damion Stewart, Rowan Vine.
QPR 1-0 Charlton Athletic – 19th April 2008
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 15.
Booked: Akos Buzsaky, Damien Delaney, Damion Stewart; Madjid Bougherra, Chris Iwelumo, Paddy McCarthy, Luke Varney.
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