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Martin In The Middle Against Stoke
Written by Newcastle Utd
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Newcastle's Premier League home game against Stoke on Boxing Day
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Martin Atkinson will take charge of Newcastle United's Barclay's Premier League home game against Stoke City on Boxing Day (3pm kick-off).
It is the second time the Yorkshire-based official has overseen a Magpies' match this season, having been in the middle of September's 3-2 home defeat against Hull City. On that afternoon, Atkinson booked two players - one of who was Moussa Sissoko.
In total during the 2013/14 campaign, he has refereed 20 games across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Capital One Cup, League Two and international level, handing out 63 yellow cards, one red, and awarding five 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 between Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as the 2011 FA Cup Final which saw Manchester City defeat Stoke.
Atkinson, aged 42, has also run the rule over numerous World Cup and European Championships qualifiers and Champions League fixtures.
On Wednesday at St. James' Park, he will be assisted by Andy Garratt and Richard West, with Robert Madley the game's fourth official.
Tickets for Newcastle's Boxing Day Premier League fixture against Stoke are still available. To secure your seat, click here.