Barclays Premiership
Birmingham City v West Brom
18th December 2004 at 12:00
Man In The Middle
Blues have not had the pleasure of the Leeds based official refereeing any of their fixtures so far this season.
Mike Riley did officiate three of our Premier League fixtures last season however, the last of which was in the 0-0 draw against Fulham at Loftus Road on 3rd April 2004. Robbie Savage the only Blues player booked that day.
Prior to the Fulham game Mike Riley had refereed Blues' 2-0 away win at Leicester City last December when both Damien Johnson and Stephen Clemence picked up yellow cards.
He was also the referee in the 0-0 draw against arch rivals Aston Villa at St Andrew's last October. Robbie Savage and Stephen Clemence picking up cautions on that occasion.
Mike Riley has taken charge of one West Brom game this season and I don't think Baggies fans will need reminding of that. He was the man in the middle in their 3-1 defeat at Newcastle back on 25th September. Former Blues defender Darren Purse was sent off in that game and later given a further three game ban by the FA video panel for elbowing his own player. Jonathan Greening was also cautioned in that game at St James Park.
In total Mike Riley has taken charge of 11 Premier League fixtures so far this season in which he has handed out 36 yellow cards and 4 reds.
Mr A Garratt and Mr A Butler will be Mike Riley's assistants for the noon showdown at St Andrew's on Saturday.
For a detailed head-to-head between the two sides, click here