Meet the Ref - Liverpool Vs Latics - Phil Dowd

The Liverpool Wigan Athletic Premier League game at Anfield on Wednesday will be officiated by Staffordshire referee Phil Dowd.

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 16 Premier League games taking Latics games twice, both at the DW Stadium, the Chelsea and Fulham games.

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!











You can listen to the Latics Speyk podcasts now by clicking on the player here:

Latics Speyk Car Stickers Have Arrived

Vital Wigan are pleased to announce that the Latics Speyk car stickers have arrived anyone who wants one follow the instructions in this link

Latics and Proud

Fancy writing an article about the Latics? Why not get in touch, we are always looking for new contributors, after all we are all Latics fans here and want to get the Latics message to the world, so if you have a favourite match or Latics memory get it jotted down, or whatever you want to say put it into an email and send it to us here at Vital Wigan

To get your article published just click here and we will put it onto the site


Vital Latics - Bringing you the Latics Speyk car stickers and the podcasts

It's easy to join us at Vital Latics to register , simply click the link and enjoy getting involved

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.