Tierney to ref Sheff Utd v Bristol City
- adamhigginsuk
- Aug 4, 2014
- 2 min read
Taking control: Tierney will make the decisions as Sheffield United face Bristol City on the opening weekend (Picture from Zimbio.com)
LANCASHIRE referee Paul Tierney will oversee the SkyBet League One clash between Sheffield United and Bristol City on the opening weekend.
The 39-year-old will be the man in the middle at Bramall Lane for the first third-tier match of the new 2014-15 campaign.
He will be assisted by Wayne Grunnill and Paul Cook with Chris Sarginson (Staffordshire) the fourth official.
Tierney took charge of 35 matches in all competitions last season, brandishing 110 yellows and 13 red cards while awarding 11 penalties.
After becoming a Select Group linesman in 2008, Tierney was promoted to the National List of referees a year later.
Although allowing the game to flow as much as possible, he has built a reputation as a card-happy official in his four previous seasons in the Football League.
Tierney, who regularly officiates across all three divisions, endured a difficult campaign last season in which he came under criticism and had plenty of controversy to deal with.
The whistler sent off Jack Robinson and DJ Campbell in a fiery 2-2 draw between Lancashire rivals Blackpool and Blackburn in October.
A number of baffling decisions - including the dismissal of Jay McEveley - were lamented by both managers after his handling of the Johnstones Paint Trophy semi-final between Peterborough and Swindon.
QPR boss Harry Redknapp also questioned the red card shown to Richard Dunne early on in the Hoops' 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
Tierney last encountered Bristol City in their 2-1 home win over Notts County in April and was in the middle for Sheffield United's 1-1 draw with Crawley last October.
Keith Stroud was in charge of Sheffield United's televised clash with Notts County in the opening Football League match of last season, sending off Notts midfielder Gary Liddle in the first half of a 2-1 win for the Blades.
United finished seventh in League One last term, seven points behind the play-offs, while Bristol City recovered from a poor start under Steve Cotterill to finish 12th.
The 9 August match will be screened live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 with kick off at 12:15 BST.
Last updated: 4 August 2014 20:02pm
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