Meet The Ref - Leeds United v Wigan Athletic

We are back in action on Saturday when Leeds United will be hosting the Latics at Elland Road, to ensure that the play is within the laws of the game Hartlepool referee Tony Harrington will be officiating.

Is it me or does Tony Harrington have a striking look of Andy Burnham?

Harrington, who is in his 7th season on the National List and part of the Select Group 2 professional officials, has been in charge of nine Latics games previously, though none this campaign, he last reffed us in our 2-1 away defeat at Derby in March last season.

This will be Harrington’s second Leeds game this season, he was in charge of the 3-3 draw with Cardiff City at Elland Road back in December when 10 man Cardiff came from three goals down to snatch an equaliser in the 88^th minute.

Harrington began refereeing in the Teesside Junior Football Alliance at the age of 14, having completed a basic refereeing course whilst at school as part of the Duke of Edinburgh award.

After four years as an EFL assistant referee and four years as a National League referee, he was appointed to the EFL Referees List in 2012/13 and has now overseen more than 200 EFL matches.

Of Harrington’s 24 games this season 17 have been in Championship, the other’s spread between League1, League 2, the FA and the EFL cups.

Interesting fact - Tony is the Grandson of Tommy McGuigan, who is in the Hartlepool United record books for top 10 number of appearances and goals for the club.

Tony Harrington Card Watch 2019/20
Games – 24
Yellows – 61
Reds – 3

Leeds United v Wigan Athletic
Referee - Tony  Harrington
Assistants - Tim Wood and Andy McGrath
Fourth Official - Tom Nield

Grab a listen to this week’s Latics podcast – which includes a preview of the Leeds game – by clicking on the embedded player below: