Proud Stroud

Keith Stroud first took up refereeing in 1988. He progressed via the Wessex League becoming a National List assistant referee in 2000 and a Select Group assistant referee in 2002.

Also in 2002, he was an assistant referee for the old Division Three play-off final between Cheltenham and Rushden. The following year was appointed as one of the assistant referees to Graham Barber during the FA Cup Final 2003 between Arsenal and Southampton.

He was promoted from the Conference to the National List of referees in 2004, and became a FIFA assistant referee in the same year. His first League match as referee was between Cheltenham and Scunthorpe on 10 August 2004. Also in that year, he was in charge of the Conference play-off final which saw Shrewsbury beat Aldershot on penalties

The season 2006/07 saw him 'trialled' for the Premier League, being given the match on 17 March 2007 between Middlesbrough and Manchester City. The following season saw him being included in the Select Group of 19 referees and stepped down from the FIFA list of assistant referees.

This season he has produced 102 yellow and 6 red cards in 29 matches. His last game was Doncaster's 3-1 win at Ipswich on 11 April 2009. This will be his first Lilywhite match of the season whilst his one Cardiff game saw them win 1-0 with a McCormack penalty at Nottingham Forest on 25 October 2008.

His assistants on Saturday are Andrew Butler from Lancashire, J.Stokes from the Wirral whilst the fourth official is Karl Evans from Greater Manchester.

Keith Stroud and Preston.