Meet The Ref - Arsenal v Latics - Andre Marriner

The FA don't half like giving us Latics fans a fright, following the controversy at Chelsea with dodgy decisions we had Phil Dowd in charge for our next game, to be fair it didn't turn out too bad, so who will be the next official under the microscope as we head of to the Emirates on Monday to face Arsenal, Andre Marriner that's who

This will be the third time this season that the Birmingham based official has been in charge of proceedings in a Latics game, remember the first time? No, well he was in charge of the Latics v Blackburn 3-3 draw back in November when he allowed a goal to stand even though Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen had played a corner to himself, he then played NINE minutes stoppage time and only blew for full time once the Latics had restarted the game following the Blackburn penalty that gave them a share of the spoils

He was also in charge of our defeat against Swansea at the end of February, can't put that down to him though, we were dire that day

The 40 year old has been a top flight referee since 2005 when he took charge of the Latics v Fulham game, which we won, courtesy of a last minute Pascal Chimbonda goal

Marriner first got into refereeing because he liked the money, his words not mine, he reveals this information in a recent interview he gave:

How did you get introduced into refereeing?

I went along to watch a local football team that had asked me to play for them. The referee had not turned up and so as I was a neutral at the game, they asked me to referee it. It was an end to end game and I really enjoyed the experience. At the end of the game, they even handed over £10.00 for my services!!!

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The highlight for me personally is the day that I received my letter inviting me to referee on the Southern Football League following a successful interview. This made me realise that I was going to referee semi professional football

What is the best game you have officiated and why?

Without a doubt, it will always be the 2003 Inaugural Conference Play Off Final between Doncaster Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge. It was a massive game at that stage of my career as it led me to be promoted onto The National List as a referee.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?

There is no single person that I can name as everybody I have worked with and met to do with refereeing have had some kind of influence on me.

Well there you have it, a money grabber who listens to no one.

Andre Marriner Card Watch 2011/12

Games - 23
Yellows - 76
Reds - 5

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic (8pm)

Referee: A Marriner
Assistants: G Beswick, S Ledger
Fourth Official: K Friend
Match Delegate: P Shreeves
PGMO: B Curson

















Latics and Proud



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