Matthew Phillips introduces us to the man in the middle for the Charlton game

The referee for the first league game of the season is Richard Beeby from Northamptonshire; he has been a professional ref since 1999 and refereed the 2004 Division Two Play Off Final as well as a few Premiership games.. 

Last season he averaged just over 2 yellow cards per game and sent off 5 players. His last Swansea game was in the 3-0 home win against Southend; he sent off an opposition player and awarded us a penalty in that match.

 Stats for 2007-08 season: 

36 Games,

76 Yellows,

5 Reds. 

Games refereed vs Swansea:

 Vs Bournemouth (away – FLT)  00/01 Won 1-0

Vs Rochdale        (home)             01/02 Lost 1-0

Vs Luton             (home)              01/02 Lost 3-1

Vs Macclesfield  (home)              03/04 Won 3-0

Vs Tranmere        (away – FA)     03/04 Lost 2-1

Vs Lincoln          (away)              04/05 Lost 1-0

Vs Wycombe      (home – LC)     05/06 Lost 3-2 AET

Vs Southend       (home)               07/08 Won 3-0

Photo: Action Images via Reuters