Ref Watch Derby County v Leeds United

Referee Peter Bankes in last seasons game at Pride Park

The EFL has appointed Peter Banks to referee the Rams first home game of the season against Leeds United.

The Merseyside referee has a reputation of handing out yellow and the odd red card, Last season issuing 156 yellow cards and 8 red cards. One red card being that given to Canos of Brentford a home game which the Rams won 3-0 on Saturday  3rd Feb this year. Banks also officiated in the game at Carrow Road against Norwich City (Sat 28th Oct 2017) last season, again the Rams winning 1-2. Derby had three players yellow carded that day (Forsyth, Johnson and Nugent).

One bizarre incident involving Mr Banks was a game involving Rochdale and Oldham. Banks had just issued a penalty when a fan, apparently incensed over the decision decided to charge on to the pitch and headed for the referee, Banks then saw the would-be attacker and sidestepped him causing the young man to lose his footing and slid into the Paul Gerrard, brother Of Steve Gerrard. The man was then arrested and charged with assault later in court.

Referee Bankes is assisted by Paul Hodskinson and Timothy Wood. The fourth official is Darren England.