Keith Stroud from Hampshire will be in charge as Rangers get back to Championship action against Coventry City on Saturday.
Keith started his refereeing career in 1988 before progressing into the football league in 2000 as an assistant referee. He then subsequently joined the referee`s list in 2002.
He was promoted to the national list of referees in 2004 and also was appointed a FIFA assistant in the same year. Mr Stroud has also been a Premier League official for two seasons, plying his trade in the top flight since 2007. Recently he was the man in the middle as Chelsea`s Didier Drogba`s display of petulance against R`s Cup opponents, Burnley earning him a subsequent ban.
He has refereed Rangers six times in his career and below is an outline of those fixtures.
Refereeing Rangers
Rangers first met Mr Stroud in August 2005 during a good run at the start of their Championship campaign. Rangers stalwarts Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands put the R`s two goals to the good before QPR fan Sam Parkin got the Tractor Boys back in the fixture. Mr Stroud also had the unenviable task of booking Tommy Doherty.
Gareth Ainsworth`s stunning header handed Rangers a point at Loftus Road against Burnley. Ainsworth latched onto a long ball to send a powerful dipping header home from the edge of the area. That came after Chris McCann curled in a beautiful effort in front of the Loft to hand the Clarets the advantage.
The following season Mr Stroud saw John Gregory`s Rangers a goal down at home to Leicester City courtesy of Patrick Kisnorbo. Martin Rowlands managed to level matters from the penalty spot. But it was later on in the season where John Gregory`s stars shone bright in a defining moment in their battle against relegation. In that fixture Gareth McAuley was given his marching orders after handling on the line, culminating in Rowlands penalty.
Mr Stroud oversaw Dexter Blackstock`s outstanding left footed strike from fully 30 yards to hand the R`s a 1-0 win over Preston North End at Loftus Road. Big time striker David Nugent played hot off the heels of his goal for England, and missed an open goal from three yards out.
Presiding over QPR`s first game of the 2007/08 season against Bristol City he oversaw two last minute goals as the game twisted both ways at Ashton Gate. Lee Johnson handed Bristol City the lead, before Dexter Blackstock pegged them back within a minute, and credit must go to the referee for allowing the goal with Adriano Basso rolling around in his goal pretending that Dexter had landed his foot on his face.
In the final minute of the fixture Scott Murray slammed home to the delight of the City supporters, but once again within a minute Rangers were sensationally level through Damion Stewart.
Mr Stroud has taken charge of Rangers this season already in Paulo Sousa`s first game in charge against Charlton Athletic. A Dexter Blackstock brace dispatched of the Addicks who had equalised courtesy of a Therry Racon goal.
In 19 games this season Mr Stroud has handed out 66 yellow cards and four reds, most recently sending off Derby County`s Jordan Stewart. This gives him a card average of 3.68 cards per game.
Mr Stroud & Queens Park Rangers
QPR 2-1 Ipswich Town – 9th August 2005.
Goals: Kevin Gallen 37, Martin Rowlands 45; Sam Parkin 54.
Booked: Tommy Doherty, Martin Rowlands, Danny Shittu; Kevin Horlock, Matt Richards.
QPR 1-1 Burnley – 2nd January 2006.
Goals: Gareth Ainsworth 45; Chris McCann 10.
Booked: John McGreal, Frank Sinclair.
QPR 1-1 Leicester City – 28th October 2006.
Goals: Martin Rowlands 68pen; Patrick Kisnorbo 7.
Booked: Steve Lomas, Jimmy Smith; Iain Hume.
Sent Off: Gareth McAuley.
QPR 1-0 Preston North End – 3rd April 2007.
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 51.
Booked: Adam Bolder, Danny Cullip; Sean St Ledger.
Bristol City 2-2 QPR – 11th August 2007.
Goals: Lee Johnson 33, Scott Murray 90; Dexter Blackstock 34, Damion Stewart 90.
Booked: Daniel Nardiello, Martin Rowlands, Damion Stewart.
QPR 2-1 Charlton Athletic – 25th November 2008.
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 17, 80; Therry Racon 30.
Booked: Damien Delaney, Hogan Ephraim, Mikele Leigertwood; Mark Hudson.
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