Meet the Ref
Saturday's referee is Gavin Ward
Gavin Ward will take charge of the Swans for the third time this season. He was the man in the middle for the 0-0 draw at home to Birmingham back in September, a game that saw him issue just one yellow card (click
here for the Ref's watch from that game) However, it was a match remembered for a half-time incident involving Swans coach Alan Tate who was later charged and punished by the FA for the incident that went unpunished on the day by Ward.
He was also referee for our 2-0 defeat to the newly named "Wayne Rooney's Derby" back in December - a game again with just one yellow card. His total Championship record this season is 21 appearances, 64 yellow cards and 3 red cards.
Ward has been an EFL official for 13 years and was appointed to the Select 2 Group officials ahead of the 2018/19 season after over ten years as an EFL referee in League One and League Two.
During that time, he took charge of the 2017/18 EFL Trophy Final between Shrewsbury Town and Lincoln City, as well as being the Fourth Official for the FA Vase Final in 2011.
Ward also attracted earlier this season this brilliant quote from Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray - "I thought he started the game poorly and he finished the game poorly. And was poorly in between."
Ward will be assisted by Adam Crysell and Matthew Jones while Trevor Kettle is the fourth official.
