AFC Bournemouth v West Ham United
Premier League, Vitality Stadium, Saturday 12 August 2023, 3pm BST
Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistants: Dan Robathan & Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth Official: Gavin Ward
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies
Peter Bankes has been named as the referee for West Ham United’s Premier League opener away at AFC Bournemouth this weekend.
The 41-year-old will be the man in the middle for the Hammers’ trip to Vitality Stadium on Saturday 12 August, having been part of the Select Group 1 for match officials in England since the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
Last season saw Bankes officiate five West Ham United matches in the Premier League. He took charge of the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium in August 2022, before refereeing the draw with Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium in mid-October.
A third consecutive 1-1 draw followed at St James’ Park when Bankes oversaw the Hammers’ trip to face Newcastle in February, while he was also the referee for the 1-0 win over Manchester United and 3-1 victory against Leeds United in May.
Like Bankes, assistant referee Nick Greelhalgh was a part of the draws with Spurs, Southampton and Newcastle last season, and also ran the line in the home win over Leeds. He was also part of the match officiating team for the Irons’ loss to Manchester City in early May.
Saturday’s other assistant referee, Dan Robathan, only officiated in one West Ham match last season, running the line in the 3-1 home win against Fulham in October.
Fourth official Gavin Ward is yet to referee a Premier League match but comes with extensive experience in the EFL Championship, League One and League Two, taking charge of Millwall’s 1-0 win at Middlesbrough this past Saturday.
Video Assistant Referee responsibilities will be overseen by Michael Salisbury, who took charge of 15 Premier League matches as the main match official last season.
