Sunderland vs Reading: Who is the referee?
David Coote will be the referee this Saturday at the Stadium of Light when Sunderland take on Reading.
Coote will be accompanied by Nick Hopton, Timothy Wood, and the fourth Official, Sunny Singh Gill.
He is actually an established official in the Premier League, making 14 appearances in the top flight this season, and 81 overall. In fact, this will be just his fifth EFL game this season.
Since starting his refereeing career at the age of 16, Coote has taken charge of Champions League Qualifying matches, as well as matches on the international stage in friendlies.
In 2010 he was promoted from non-league to the Football League's list of referees.
Coote warming up for an FA Cup clash between Brighton and Liverpool.
Since then he has covered all competitions across the English Football League, ranging all the way from from League Two to the EFL play-offs.
David Coote Sunderland record
Sunderland have only ever won one game in which Coote has officiated, and that was all the way back in the 13/14 season against MK Dons in the EFL cup.
Of the other three games in which the Nottingham official has been been in charge, the Black Cats have drawn two and lost one.
In the 17/18 season, Coote took control of two Sunderland matches in the Championship, one away to Bolton, and the other at home to Norwich.
David Coote refereeing a Sunderland match against Norwich in 2018.
Sunderland drew 1-1 to Norwich, and Coote gave the Black Cats a chance to take the lead with a penalty. Aiden McGeady missed from the spot in the first half, though.
George Honeyman eventually did put Sunderland ahead, but a late equaliser from Norwich in the 89th minute meant the two sides split the points in the end.
David Coote overall record this season
Games: 21
Yellow cards: 75
Red cards: 1
Penalties awarded: 5
Cards per game: 3.62
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