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Martin In The Middle Against City
Written by Newcastle Utd
Martin Atkinson will take charge of United's Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Newcastle United's Barclays Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday at St. James' Park (4pm kick-off).
The Yorkshire-based official oversaw four Magpies matches last season, all at home, against Hull City, Stoke City, Aston Villa and Cardiff City.
In total during the 2013/14 campaign, he refereed 44 games across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, Capital One Cup, Championship, League Two and international level, handing out 137 yellow cards, three reds, and awarding 11 penalties.
Having started refereeing at the age of 16 in his local Bradford leagues, Atkinson rose through the leagues and was appointed to his first top flight fixture in April 2005, as Manchester City took on Birmingham City.
He has grown in stature to be regarded as one of the country's top referees and in recent years has overseen the 2006 FA Community Shield, the 2011 FA Cup Final, and the 2014 Capital One Cup final, which saw Manchester City defeat Sunderland.
Atkinson, aged 43, has also run the rule over numerous World Cup and European Championships qualifiers and Champions League fixtures.
On Sunday at St. James' Park, he will be assisted by Mike Mullarkey and Stephen Child, with Neil Swarbrick the game's fourth official.
Tickets for Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener against Manchester City at St. James' Park are still available. To secure your seat, click here.