Meet The Ref Mk II - Latics Vs Fulham, Phil Dowd

Wigan Athletic Vs Fulham on Sunday has seen a referee change with Mark Clattenburg withdrawn and the ever genial Phil Dowd stepping forward to fill the breach, he was due to be 4th official at the Chelsea Vs Manchester United game.

46 year old Dowd has been at the centre of quite a bit of controversy when officiating in Latics matches in the past, most notably when Paul Jewell was in charge at the DW Stadium, turning down numerous penalty appeals, allowing goals even though there were blatant fouls and not allowing players back on to the field of play following treatment for injury resulting in goals being conceded, yep Mr Dowd and Mr Jewell still aren`t on speaking terms apparently.

Hopefully though Dowds bad run with the Latics is well and truly over, he was the referee when we stuffed Chelsea 3-1 at the DW Stadium back in October giving us a penalty and dismissing Chelsea keeper Petr Cech, maybe he has redeemed himself, who knows.

So far this season the Stoke referee has been in charge of 9 Premier League games issuing 34 yellow cards and 4 reds.

An interesting fact - Phil Dowd is an ex pit man and that`s how he got into refereeing, whilst on strike during 1984 Miner`s Dispute he decided to learn the Laws of the Game. He enrolled on a course and after passing his referee exam started to do youth games in the local leagues, Maggie Thatcher really does have a lot to answer for!


Lets have a quiet game tomorrow Phil….please





Fans Forum Ticket Competition

Vital Latics have two tickets on offer for the up and coming Wigan Athletic fans forum to be held at the DW Stadium in the DW Fitness Lounge located in the South Stand on Tuesday 17th November 7pm kick-off.

The fans forum will give supporters the opportunity to meet and question manager Roberto Martinez; also there is a hotpot supper included, now that does make the mouth water.

Full details of the event are on the official site and can be viewed by clicking here

The event has always proved very popular in the past so if you want to be the lucky winner of two tickets, supplied by Wigan Athletic, then answer the following question and enter via link provided, closing date 10th November 5 pm.

Who is Roberto`s assistant manager:
a) Graeme Jones
b) Steve Bruce
c) Arsene Wenger

To enter click here










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