Mike Thorpe of Suffolk will take charge of QPR`s fixture against Doncaster at the weekend, Vital QPR gives you the low-down on the official.
A referee that former Leeds United, now Sheffield United boss branded a “Rabbit in the headlights” following his handling of the play-off semi final against Preston North End, Mike Thorpe comes with six years of league experience.
He made his refereeing bow at Glandford Park with Scunthorpe drew at home with Wrexham, and he progressed to officiate the aforementioned play-off tie between Preston and Leeds at Deepdale, sending off Stephen Crainey and substitute Richard Cresswell for the visitors.
Thorpe nearly oversaw an F.A. Cup shock as Luton were held to a 1-1 draw by non-league Thurrock, but the Hatters subsequently took hold of the replay, winning 3-1.
Thorpe has refereed eleven fixtures involving Rangers, seeing the R`s victorious 7 times and defeated 4 times. One of those defeats came in his first season in League officiating when the R`s lost 1-0 at home to the old nemesis, Northampton Town, with now Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope hitting an expert lob over Simon Royce.
Following that he handed the R`s an innocuous penalty against Stockport County, as a headbanded Carlton Palmer flapped about like Bambi on ice as Kevin Gallen slotted home the last minute spot-kick.
A comfortable win over Grimbsy followed in the R`s promotion campaign, with the R`s defeating the Mariners 3-0. More controversy ensued at the Priestfield Stadium when he handed the R`s a dubious goal as Marcus Bean slammed the ball home from close range, with what was perceived as his hand, but replays remain inconclusive!
A rare Rangers midweek win was capped off by Lee Cook`s stunning left footed free-kick, but Mr. Thorpe sent of Tommy Doherty in the 81st minute for violent play. A narrow win over Cardiff ensued before Rangers saw the demise of Ian Holloway in a 3-2 defeat at home by Leicester, his penultimate game as R`s boss.
Despite a crackerjack from Jimmy Smith, Mr. Thorpe oversaw a 2-1 defeat at home to Derby County, but the R`s once again got the better of Cardiff City with Dexter Blackstock ultimately securing the R`s Championship safety in 2007.
Mr. Thorpe was the man in the middle as the R`s fans paid their respect to Ray Jones, who was tragically taken a week prior to the fixture, Rangers lost the game 3-0, with Mikele Leigertwood making his debut for the R`s following is deadline day deal.
Scunthorpe were dispatched by Rangers 3-1, as Rangers were handed a penalty, for which goalkeeper Joe Murphy could have seen his marching orders for what was a truly incredible verbal tirade on the said official, Scunthorpe were subsequently charged.
Last season Mr. Thorpe officiated 37 games, handing out 106 yellows and 8 reds, and in his three fixtures this season he oversaw a League Cup shock as League One MK Dons knocked out Norwich.
Mr. Thorpe & Queens Park Rangers:
QPR 0-1 Northampton Town – 9th November 2002.
Goals: Paul Trollope 61.
Booked: Karl Connolly, Andy Thomson; Paul Rickers, Ian Sampson.
QPR 1-0 Stockport County – 4th January 2003.
Goals: Kevin Gallen 89pen
Booked: John Hardiker, Carlton Palmer.
QPR 3-0 Grimsby Town – 10th April 2004.
Goals: Paul Furlong 42, 86, Marc Bircham 84.
Booked: Marcus Bean, Kevin Gallen; Michel Antoine-Curier, Tony Crane.
Gillingham 0-1 QPR – 27th August 2004.
Goals: Marcus Bean 29.
Booked: Andy Hessenthaler.
QPR 1-0 Luton Town – 13th September 2005.
Goals: Lee Cook 58.
Booked: Marc Bircham, Paul Furlong, Danny Shittu.
Sent Off: Tommy Doherty.
QPR 1-0 Cardiff City – 28th December 2005.
Goals: Marc Nygaard 47.
Booked: Richard Langley; Willie Boland.
QPR 2-3 Leicester City – 31st January 2006.
Goals: Gareth Ainsworth 6, Danny Shittu 83; Matthew Fryatt 10, Richard Stearman 79, Stephen Hughes 88.
Booked: Matthew Rose, Georges Santos; Nils-Eric Johansson, Alan Maybury, Patrick McCarthy.
QPR 1-2 Derby County – 17th October 2006.
Goals: Jimmy Smith 7; Morten Bisgaard 4, Steve Howard 33.
Booked: Lee Cook, Zesh Rehman; Adam Bolder, Marc Edworthy, Seth Johnson.
QPR 1-0 Cardiff City – 21st April 2007.
Goals: Dexter Blackstock 23.
Booked: Marcus Bignot, Adam Bolder, Lee Cook; Michael Chopra, Kerrea Gilbert, Joe Ledley.
QPR 0-3 Southampton – 1st September 2007.
Goals: Grzegorz Rasiask 18, 45, Bradley Wright-Phillips 49.
Booked: Lee Camp, Danny Cullip.
QPR 3-1 Scunthorpe United – 15th March 2008.
Goals: Martin Rowlands 43pen, Patrick Agyemang 79, Vine 90; Grant McCann 8.
Booked: Matthew Connolly, Fitz Hall, Mikele Leigertwood; Joe Murphy.
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