Meet The Ref - Reading v Latics

Latics travel down to Royal Berkshire on Saturday to face Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Gary Caldwell looking for his first away win in a League One fixture since returning to the club, scheduled to take charge of the game is Wallasey based referee, Steve Copeland.

 

Copeland, a police detective by trade, made his debut in the EFL last season, clocking up 3 League Two games and the Lincoln City v Cambridge United 1:1 draw at Sincil Bank in February 2025.

So far this season, Detective Steve has been in charge of 18 first class games, 8 in League Two and 7 in the National League, Saturday will be his first at League One level this campaign, though he did take charge of Doncaster’s 3:1 home win over Bradford in the EFL Trophy, and Lincoln’s away defeat via penalties to Salford in the FA Cup 1^st round, 9 yellows and a red card in that particular encounter.

Previous Games

Saturday will be the first time that Steve Copeland has taken charge of either a Latics or Reading game, though he was the 4^th Official for our 1:0 away defeat at Cardiff in January, what an enthralling affair that was.

Steve Copeland Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 18

Yellows – 64

Reds – 1

Penalty Awards – 3

Reading v Wigan Athletic
Referee – Steven Copeland
Assistants – Dan D’Urso and Richard Morris
Fourth Official – Alan Creswell

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

Meet The Ref - Latics v Exeter City

Latics are back in action at the Brick Community on Saturday when Exeter City will be the visitors for a League One fixture, the referee for the game will be Preston based official, Ed Duckworth.

 

A graduate of Myerscough College, Ed has also held positions with the Cheshire FA as their Referee Development Officer and National Referee Manager for the Football Association. Duckworth was promoted to the National List of Referees in August 2023.

 Previous Games

This will be Ed Duckworth’s third Wigan Athletic game having been in charge of our 3:0 home win over Fleetwood Town back in November 2023

In that game Duckworth booked Latics striker, Josh Stones along with four Fleetwood players, plus he brandished a red card to the Cod Army’s defender Josh Earl right on half-time.

Duckworth also took charge of our 3^rd round Carabao cup tie earlier this campaign, a two-nil defeat at home to Wycombe, Dara Costelloe and Callum Wright picking up yellow cards.

Ed Duckworth last took charge of an Exeter game in August, the Grecians suffered a 2:0 away defeat to Northampton in a league match.

Ed Duckworth’s Latics Games

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
23 Sep 2025	EFL Cup	Latics 0:2 Wycombe	2Y
28 Nov 2023	League One	Latics 3:0 Fleetwood Town	1Y

 

Ed Duckworth Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 31

Yellows – 120

Reds – 7

Penalty Awards – 4

Wigan Athletic v Exeter City
Referee – Ed Duckworth
Assistants – Grant Taylor and Anthony Moore
Fourth Official – Will Davis

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

Meet The Ref - Barnsley v Latics

Latics face Barnsley at Oakwell on Tuesday, 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 only be Martin’s third time at League One level 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, but don’t hold your breath.

Previous Games

Tuesday will be the second time that Ross Martin has taken charge of a Latics game, his first came in our 1:0 home win over Port Vale back in October, Maleace Asamoah on target for 10-man Latics following the absurd dismissal of Dara Costelloe with a straight red for attempting an overhead kick in the first half, Fraser Murray also found his way into the book, picking up a yellow.

This will be Ross Martin’s first visit to Oakwell and his first Barnsley game.

Ross Martin’s Previous Latics Game

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
18 Oct 2025	League One	Latics 1:0 Port Vale	1Y & 1R

Ross Martin Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 27

Yellows – 101

Reds – 3

Penalty Awards – 4

Barnsley v Wigan Athletic
Referee – Ross Martin
Assistants – Matt Sowerby and Bradley Hall
Fourth Official – Tim Walker

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

Meet The Ref - Latics v Bradford City

Latics are back at the Brick on Saturday, a League One fixture reuniting us with some former friends as we entertain Bradford City, the referee for the game is scheduled to be Northampton official, Andrew Humphries.

28 year old Andy Humphries broke onto the National List for the start of the 2024/25 season, though he only refereed 10 EFL games in that campaign. A teacher by trade, Humphries is quite the athlete having run 11 marathons in 11 days!

Previous Games

This will be Andy Humphries’ second Latics game, his first was our 0:1 home defeat to Wycombe in the Carabao Cup back in October, Will Aimson picking up our only yellow card that evening.

Humphries also does have one Bradford City match under his belt, that came last season, a goalless draw away at Newport in February 2025.

 Andy Humphries Latics Game

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
11 Oct 2025	EFL Cup	Latics 0:0 Wycombe	1Y

Andy Humphries Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 32

Yellows – 96

Reds – 6

Penalties – 6

Wigan Athletic v Bradford City

Referee – Andy Humphries

Assistants – Thomas Cooke & Tom Harty

4^th Official – Jack Nield

Grab a listen to the latest podcast featuring a preview of the Bradford City game.