Meet the referee: Bristol City v Boro

Last updated : 26 January 2007 By Reggie Holdsworth
Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)
b. 29/7/1063

Mr. Poll is probably England's most distinguised referees at the moment, but not for all the right reasons. His most contoversial game was last summers World Cup game between Australia and Croatia when he failed to send off Croatian Josip Simunic for a second yellow card, however he did give him his marching orders when he received a third yellow card.

He has been refereeing on the FIFA list since 1996 and has a host of European and international games under his belt, including two visits to the World Cup Finals in 2002 and 2006, and the UEFA Cup Final in 2005.

The 43-year-old rarely officiates Boro matches but will be particularly remembered by Mark Schwarzer, whom he sent off against Newcastle in 2001.

He takes charge of his second Boro game this season, the first being the 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn. So far this season he has booked 102 and sent off 5 players in 28 games.

The assistant referees are Gavin Ward (Kent) and Graham Scott (Oxfordshire), while the fourth official is Andy Penn (West Midlands).