Meet The Ref - Latics v Sheffield Wednesday - David Webb

Latics face Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening in what is a massive game in the course of the season, desperate for points we have old favourite, Lancashire based referee David Webb in charge of the proceedings.

 The 41 year old Sunderland fan has already been the whistle blower in two Latics’ games this campaign, both finished 3-2 in our favour, the opening day win over Cardiff at the DW Stadium and our only away win this season at Birmingham on New Years Day.

Webb took to officiating from the very young age of 14 because he was fascinated with ‘that side of the game’, says it all really, but he had to pack it all in after just one year, because he couldn’t get to the games and he was 20 years old before he was back blowing his whistle in the Wearside League.

Webb’s ambition is to make it all the way to the top and he hopes to become a Select Group 1 referee before too long, Webb says – ‘It’s everyone’s long-term aim to get in to the Select Group’

‘In any job, you hope to get as far as you can. You just knuckle down and work hard.’

David’s ‘other’ job was working for a charity that supports adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems, he says – ‘It’s very rewarding’

‘The man-management skills needed are not that different from refereeing. It’s all about building relationships – with the vulnerable or with the players. And I’ve found, very much so, that each job can help the other.’

David Webb Card Watch 2019/20
Games – 22
Yellows – 61
Reds – 0

Wigan Athletic v Sheffield Wednesday
Referee - David Webb
Assistant Referees - Rob Merchant and James Mainwaring
Fourth Official - James Oldham

Grab a listen to the latest Latics Podcast - Sheffield Wednesday Preview