Latics entertain Rotherham United in our first home game of the new campaign on Saturday, on what promises to be a fantastic occasion, the man entrusted to keep the game flowing will be Shrewsbury official, Rob Lewis.
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| Rob Lewis |
This will be 47 year old Lewis’ first visit to the DW, he has ref’d us twice previously, both games away from home, but he may well be known to Latics’ supporters for two incidents that made the national media, plus he does have a place in our history.
Back in January 2005, Rob Lewis was running the line in the Premier League, he was at Old Trafford for Spurs visit to Manchester United when Roy Carroll, the United keeper - ex Latics, there’s always a connection – dropped a speculative effort from Spurs player, Pedro Mendes, over the goal line, clearly, Lewis, to the amazement of everyone at the game and those watching on TV signaled ‘no goal’ the ball was cleared and the game ended in a draw.
Lewis came in for a ton of criticism after the game but he stood up and faced the music explaining his decision and the reasoning behind it:
"I was doing my primary job, which was to stand in line with the last defender and watch for offside
"I pride myself on being relatively fast over a short distance but by the time the ball landed, I was still 25 yards away from goal and it was impossible from that distance to judge if it had crossed the line.
"I could not have guessed because you have to be 100% sure on such important decisions.
"I am disappointed because I always like to get decisions right. But I have thought about it a lot since the incident and there was nothing I could have done differently - apart from run faster than Linford Christie."
He did, however, make a claim for technology, that is now common place in first class football, to be used to assist in these types of decisions:
"My view, and I think it is shared by most referees, is that for matter of fact issues like whether the ball has crossed the line, technology should be introduced
"Any decision where the law states 'in the opinion of' should be left as they are."
In October 2017, just one week after being in charge of our game at Scunthorpe – see, there’s always a connection – Lewis was down at the Valley for Charlton v Doncaster, in the 50th minute of the game he was involved in a collision with Addicks striker Josh Magennis and ended up being knocked out.
Lewis was treated for several minutes on the pitch before being carried off by the Charlton medical team and replaced by the 4th official. He was diagnosed with concussion.
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| Josh Magennis checking on Rob Lewis |
Previous Latics Games
Both Rob Lewis’ games in charge of the Latics came in the 2017/18 League 1 season, the first was an away win at Scunny in October ‘17, Lee Evans received a straight red card early in the 2nd half, but goals from Dan Burn and Nick Powell gave the Latics a two goal cushion before Funso Ojo scored a 90th minute consolation for the hosts.
Lewis was also in charge of our history making seven goal trouncing of Oxford United two days before Christmas, I don’t think he had much to do that day except take a note of the goalscorers, Grigg (3), Power (2), Powell & Massey.
Rob Lewis’ Complete Record Of Refereeing Latics Games
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Date |
Competition |
Result |
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23 Dec 2017 |
League 1 |
Oxford Utd 0:7 Latics |
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07Oct 2017 |
League 1 |
Scunthorpe 1:2 Latics |
Rub Lewis record of Latics games is:
Home Games
P0 W0 D0 L0
Away Games
P2 W2 D0 L0
This referee has a Latics Love Factor of 100%
Rob Lewis Card Watch 2020/21
Games – 30
Yellows – 85
Reds – 4
Penalty Awards – 5
Wigan Athletic v Rotherham United
Referee – Rob Lewis
Assistants – Lisa Rashid and Danny
Gratton
Fourth Official – Elliott Swallow
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