Meet The Ref - Latics v Port Vale

Latics face Port Vale at the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday, in a League One fixture, scheduled to take charge of the game is Gloucester based referee, Ross Martin.

Ross Martin, made the step up from the National League to the National List and reffing in the EFL this season, another inexperienced official for the Latics to endure, this will be Martin’s first time at League One level with just four League Two games under his belt this season.

Following a comedy of errors from match officials so far this campaign, hopefully Mr Martin can buck the trend and put in a consistent performance.

Previous Games

Saturday will be the first time that Ross Martin has taken charge of either a Latics or Port Vale game, though he was on 4^th Official duties for Port Vale on their 2:3 home defeat to Orient back on the 6^th September, coincidentally Vale’s last League defeat.

Ross Martin Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 9

Yellows – 38

Reds – 2

Penalty Awards – 2

Wigan Athletic v Port Vale
Referee – Ross Martin
Assistants – Ashley Allen and Bradley Hall
Fourth Official – Melissa Burgin

Grab a listen to the latest PWU Latics podcast featuring a preview of the Port Vale game

Laticafe – The Community Drop-In

Every Thursday morning, there is a gentle buzz evident around the Brick Community Stadium.

Adjacent to the Club Shop in the Player’s Lounge, a community is growing in a safe, warm and welcoming space, people are gathering, enjoying a chat, a cuppa and a biscuit.

Laticafe, a PWU Podcast initiative, has grown into a self organising event with community at its heart. The initial objective was for it to eventually become autonomous and that has been quickly achieved.

A regular attendance of 40+ each week, spread over the two hours opening time, is testament to the growing success with a wide range of demographics attending, in what is a very friendly and supportive environment.

Brews, like the biscuits are free, no charge, and as a community our aim is to provide for each other. 

The 2^nd October session was dedicated to the Macmillan Coffee Morning event with cakes baked and supplied by our community; we raised the fantastic sum of £265:60 for a very worthy cause.

We have no association to any particular group or organisation and our community offers a warm, friendly, supportive and caring welcome to all.

Why not pop down on any Thursday, you are guaranteed to be made welcome, stay for the full 2 hours or just enjoy a coffee or tea with us for 20 minutes or so.

Free parking directly in front of the venue, access via Stadium Way, WN5 0UN

Meet The Ref - Latics v Wycombe Wanderers

Latics face Wycombe Wanderers at the Brick Community Stadium for the second time in a fortnight on Saturday. The first game was a Carabao Cup tie, which Wycombe won, this encounter is a League One fixture, scheduled to take charge of the game is Northants based referee, Andy Humphries.

 
28 year old, Humphries, a schoolteacher by trade, has shot through the ranks, making the step up from the National League to the EFL refereeing list last season having had a one game taster back in March 2024.

Andy Humphries had the privilege of refereeing last season’s FA Youth Cup Final, between Aston Villa and Manchester City

Previous Games

Saturday will be the first time that Andy Humphries has taken charge of either a Latics or Wycombe game, though he has been on 4^th Official duties for both clubs, those fixtures came last season. Wycombe’s home 2:0 win over Bristol Rovers in February and Ryan Lowe’s first game in charge of the Latics away at Charlton in March where we went down by 2 goals to one.

Andy Humphries Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 11

Yellows – 32

Reds – 3

Penalty Awards – 2

Wigan Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers
Referee – Andy Humphries
Assistants – Adam Burges and Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official – James Bancroft

Grab a listen to the latest PWU Latics podcast featuring a preview of the Wycombe game

Meet The Vertu Trophy Ref - Latics v Wolves U21s

Latics are in Vertu Trophy action on Tuesday, we face Wolves U21s at the Brick Community Stadium, the referee for the game will be Northumberland based official, Zac Kennard-Kettle. 

Kennard-Kettle, is a 24 year old protégé and is in his second season on the National List having risen through the local and non-league ranks at a rapid rate of knots since 2020. He is the son of former EFL referee, Trevor Kettle.

Previous Games

Zac Kennard-Kettle has taken charge of one Latics previously, our FA Cup tie away at Cambridge United last season, a 1:2 win after extra time, Thelo Aasgaard and Jonny Smith grabbing the goals with Maleace Asamoah picking up a yellow card.

Zac Kennard-Kettle’s Latics Game

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
30 Nov 2024	FA Cup	Cambridge Utd 1:2 Latics	1Y

Zac Kennard-Kettle Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 9

Yellows – 30

Reds – 2

Penalties – 2

Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s

Referee – Zac Kennard-Kettle

Assistants – Thomas Cooke & Matt Parry

4^th Official – Anthony Moore

Grab a listen to the latest podcast featuring a preview of the Vertu Trophy game