Newbie ref in charge for Hull visit – Referee

Manchester-based official Thomas Kirk takes his first ever QPR game on Tuesday night as the R’s host Hull City at Loftus Road.

Referee >>> Thomas Kirk (Wilmslow)

Assistants >>> Sam Lewis (Buckinghamshire) and Robert Hyde (Leicestershire)

Fourth Official >>> James Linington (Isle of Wight)

History

First QPR appointment.

Stats

Estate Agent Thomas Kirk joined the EFL list in 2022/23, refereeing 32 games across the bottom two divisions and cup competitions. He showed 113 yellows (3.51) and just two reds in those games, topped out by a trio of seven card hauls. Last season he showed 134 yellows (4.06) and four reds in 33 appointments, led by ten yellows in Newport’s early 4-0 home win against Doncaster in League Two.

He made his Championship debut on December 23 last year, with Norwich’s 2-0 home win against Huddersfield. Four more followed at this level although he is yet to referee either QPR or Hull. It’s been all League One, Two and Cup for Kirk so far this season – 28 yellows (5.6) and no reds across five games in those comps.

If you enjoy LoftforWords, please consider supporting the site through a subscription to our Patreon or tip us via our PayPal account loftforwords@yahoo.co.uk.

Pictures — Ian Randall Photography

The Twitter @loftforwords

What to read next:

Are we the shithouses? Preview
QPR bring their bizarrely effective brand of possession-less football back to Loftus Road on Saturday to face a Preston team that’s made something of an art of doing plenty with not a lot in recent years, particularly against Rangers.

39 days since our last nonsense - Perryripheral Thoughts
Alex Perry is back to review a month when things started to look up in QPR land, with Zan Celar scoring goals and Jimmy Dunne getting a 'serious business' haircut.

Drawing, drawing, drawing towards freedom - Opposition Profile
The only team that's drawn more than QPR in the Championship this season is our opponent this Saturday, Preston North End, as they come to terms with the predictable departure of Ryan Lowe and steadying influence of Paul Heckingbottom - @Josh_McLoughlin is our oppo fan.

Blackstock's wonder goal seals crucial PNE victory - History
Ahead of Preston’s visit to Loftus Road on Saturday we’re looking back to a crucial victory for John Gregory’s side in their fight for survival back in 2007.

Donohue in charge of Preston visit - Referee
Manchester official Matt Donohue is in the middle for QPR's Saturday afternoon shithouse-a-thon with Preston North End.

Smyth’s smash and grab stuns City – Report
QPR continued their recent unbeaten run, despite another poor performance, away at Bristol City on Saturday, thanks to an extraordinary goal from Paul Smyth.

Bristol City 1 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

Old foes, familiar faces and new trends collide at Ashton Gate - Preview
QPR, picking up points and keeping clean sheets, head to Ashton Gate on Saturday, where they've beaten Bristol City four times in a row but have a trio of former charges lying in wait.

The Championship's most mid-table team - Oppo Profile
Bristol City spent a deal of money this summer trying to push Liam Manning's side on towards the play-offs, but the remain steadfastly stuck in midtable as doubts persist about the manager's style - we spoke to @fevsfootball.

QPR's late, late show on Ashton Gate opening day - History
We're back to 2007 for today's memorable match as QPR get ready to head back to Ashton Gate, scene of some high intensity clashes between the teams in the Ian Holloway days.