Meet The Ref - Blackpool v Latics

Latics are heading off on a trip to the seaside on Saturday, facing Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in what is a very important fixture for both clubs, the referee for the game will be Hampshire based official, Matthew Russell.

Matt Russell is in his 2^nd season on the National List, he graduated from the National League South in 2019, and served a four year apprenticeship in the National League before plying his trade in the EFL.

 Previous Games

This will be the Matt Russell’s second Wigan Athletic game having been in charge our 1:1 home draw with, ironically enough, Saturday’s opponents, Blackpool, last season in late April.

In that game Russell booked both Callum McManaman and former Latics’ player Lee Evans who had a little coming together, Russell also awarded Blackpool a penalty which Evans scored from to cancel out John Mellish’s first half opener.

Matt Russell’s Latics Game

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
26 Apr 2026	League One	Latics 1:1 Blackpool	1Y

 

 

Matt Russell Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 23

Yellows – 64

Reds – 4

Penalty Awards – 4

Blackpool v Wigan Athletic
Referee – Matt Russell
Assistants – Danny Jarvis and Paul Stonier
Fourth Official – Dan Robinbson

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

Meet The Ref - Latics v Huddersfield Town

Latics are back in action on Saturday, Huddersfield Town are visiting the Brick Community Stadium for a League One fixture, the referee for the game will be the experienced match official, Charles Breakspear.

 

The Surrey-born referee is now in his 13^th season in the EFL, he took charge of his first professional game on the opening day of the 2013/14 season after a year in the National League, Breakspear is now on 420 games on the National List. 

Breakspear has spent most of his time officiating in League 1 and League 2, though he has ventured into the Championship on occasion, indeed the first time our paths crossed was a goalless draw down at Portman Road back in January 2015 in the Championship.

He has seven previous Latics games under his belt, that draw with Ipswich, our three-goal demolition of Charlton Athletic at the Valley in 2017, two games in our administration season, defeat away at MK Dons and a home draw with Burton.

Charles Breakspear was also the man in charge of our four-goal drubbing of the “best team in the league” away at Horwich in 2021 and a month later our FA Cup replay win at Solihull Moors.

Charles Breakspear last refereed the Latics on the 9^th December 2023, a goalless home draw with Lincoln City, Liam Morrison, Sean Clare, Callum McManaman and Steven Sessegnon all picking up bookings in that particular game.

“Breakspear ever ref’d a Huddersfield game?” I hear you say. Yes, just the one, way back in September 2015, a 1:2 Championship away win at Charlton with Emyr Huws on the scoresheet for the Terriers whilst on a season long loan from the Latics.

Charles Breakspear’s Last Six Latics Games

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
09 Dec 2023	League One	Latics 0:0 Lincoln City	4Y
16 Nov 2021	FA Cup	Solihull Moors 1:2 Latics	2Y
16 Oct 2021	League One	Bolton 0:4 Latics	4Y
24 Apr 2021	League One	Latics 1:1 Burton	0
27 Oct 2020	League One	MK Dons 2:0 Latics	2Y
12 Sep 2017	League One	Charlton 0:3 Latics	3Y

 Charles Breakspear Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 15

Yellows – 51

Reds – 1

Penalty Awards – 2

Wigan Athletic v Huddersfield Town

Referee – Charles Breakspear
Assistants – Joe Simpson & Jake Topp
4^th Official – Harley McKittrick

Grab a listen to the latest PWU Latics podcast featuring a preview of the Huddersfield Town game.

 

Meet The Ref - Stockport County v Latics

Latics take the short trip across Greater Manchester on Saturday to Edgeley Park, Stockport County await Gary Caldwell’s men in a League One fixture, the referee is scheduled to be Chesterfield born official, Matt Corlett.

34-year-old Matt Corlett is in his third season in the EFL following promotion to the National List of refs in August 2023.

Previous Games

In his relatively short career so far, Corlett hasn’t refereed any Latics games previously, but he has found himself officiating in the Championship, with three 2^nd tier games this season, obviously highly thought of at the PGMOL.

Matt Corlett’s one Stockport game came in the EFL Trophy two seasons back, a Group Stage game against Manchester United U21s at Edgley Park, a highly controversial game with two penalties, former Latics loanee Joe Hugill converting for United early in the 2^nd half, County equalising in the 13^th minute of stoppage time with Tanto Olaofe scoring from the spot.

Stockport picked up 8 (eight) yellows and a red card, all coming in the 2^nd half, before going on to lose the penalty shootout 4-6.

Matt Corlett Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 25

Yellows – 97

Reds – 3

Penalties – 3

Stockport County v Wigan Athletic

Referee – Matt Corlett

Assistants – Alex Gray & Sam Clayton

4^th Official – Zac Kennard-Kettle

Grab a listen to the latest podcast featuring a preview of the Stockport County game.

Meet The Ref - Latics v Luton Town

The Latics will be back at the Brick Community Stadium on Wednesday, Gary Caldwell’s first game in charge since his reappointment as Wigan Athletic manager, Luton Town are the visitors, the referee for the game is scheduled to be Chesterfield based official, Jamie O’Connor. 

 

O’Connor, has been on the EFL National List of referees since the 2024/25 season.

Previous Games

Jamie O’Connor has refereed the Latics just the once previously, that game came in March last season, our 1:0 home League One victory over Cambridge United at the Brick.

Luke Robinson scoring the only goal of the game, Ollie Norburn and James Carragher picking up a yellow card apiece.

This game will be the first time that Jamie O’Connor has officiated in a Luton Town fixture.

Jamie O’Connor Latics Games

Date	Competition	Result	Latics Cards
08 Mar 2025	League One	Latics 1:0 Cambridge Utd	2Y

 

Jamie O’Connor Card Watch 2025/26

Games – 26

Yellows – 75

Reds – 6

Penalties – 4

 Wigan Athletic v Luton Town

Referee – Jamie O'Connor

Assistants – Matt Jones & Danny Guest

4^th Official – Paul Howard

Grab a listen to the latest podcast featuring a preview of the Luton game