Hartlepool lad Tony Harrington will get a big night under the Premier League spotlight at St James' Park when Newcastle United square up to Crystal Palace tomorrow.
The man in the middle will be taking charge of only his second Premier League game after bossing Wolves' 1-0 away victory at Brighton earlier this term. But it will be his first big top-flight game as the main official in his native North-East.
Harrington was previously fourth official when Keith Stroud disallowed Matt Ritchie's penalty against Burton Albion before wrongly ordering a free-kick to the Brewers rather than a retake. He also reffed Newcastle's Championship wins over Cardiff and Bristol City.
READ MORE: Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe confirms Paul Dummett contract offer
Harrington is a graduate of Northumbria University and was promoted to the top-flight refereeing list last summer. Having worked his way up from the Blue Square Premier Division, with his first game a 1-0 win for Cambridge over Northwich, it has been some journey for Harrington.
Harrington spent four years as an EFL assistant referee and four years as a National League referee before promotion to the EFL in 2012. But he began his journey with the whistle in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance at the age of just 14.
Harrington is the grandson of Hartlepool legend Tommy McGuigan. He has previously been a teacher at the North Shore Academy in Stockton.
