Referee: Gavin Ward
Assistant Referees: Mark Pottage and Rob Smith
Fourth Official: James Durkin
Gavin Ward has been on the National List for more than a decade now, taking charge of his first EFL games during the 2007/08 season. Ward showed nine red cards in 27 games that season, including one just 19 minutes into his debut match between Barnet and Hereford.
The Surrey referee took charge of three Brentford games during our 2008/09 promotion season, including the 1-0 win at AFC Bournemouth which saw Darren Powell dismissed for an altercation with Karleigh Osborne. Other memorable Bees assignments include our 3-3 comeback draw against MK Dons in 2011 and our 1-0 win over Preston in March 2013, which saw Sam Saunders convert a last-minute penalty for the three points.
After a three-year absence, Ward took charge of us twice last season. He was in the middle for our 1-1 home draw against Norwich City and our dramatic 1-0 victory at home to Dean Smith's Aston Villa. In total, Ward has officiated 16 Bees games with seven victories, four draws, and five defeats.
Last season, Ward showed 132 yellow cards, and eight red cards, in 39 matches across all competitions.
Birmingham City 2018/19
635 fouls - 3rd in Championship
81 yellow cards - 9th in Championship
3 red cards - 10th in Championship
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