Harrogate Town: Match officials announced | OneFootball

The match officials for Leeds United’s Emirates FA Cup clash with Harrogate Town on Saturday have been announced, with James Bell set to take charge at Elland Road.

The tie marks a swift return to West Yorkshire for the official, who recently oversaw the Whites’ emphatic 4-0 victory over Oxford United in the run up to the festive period.

That encounter was the second time Bell has refereed a home fixture for United this season, after also taking charge of an earlier clash with Burnley.

The Select Group 2 referee, who started his refereeing journey aged just 14, also officiated Daniel Farke’s side’s pre-season triumph over La Liga giants Valencia CF, as well as two fixtures last campaign.

Harrogate Town, meanwhile, have an impressive record from their seven matches when Bell has been in the middle, winning five times and drawing once. Most recently, the Sulphurites held Leyton Orient to a 2-2 draw in League Two back in 2023.

One of those fixtures proved to be a memorable afternoon for Simon Weaver’s side, when they beat Notts County 3-1 at Wembley in the 2019/20 National League Play-Off final to reach the EFL for the first time.

2024/25 stats:

Games (all competitions): 17

Yellow cards issued: 72

Red cards issued: 5

Other match officials selected:

Assistant referees: James Mainwaring & Ian Cooper

Fourth official: Sebastian Stockbridge