Martin Atkinson

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Martin Atkinson is one of many referees who have operated in the FA Premier League. He was born on 31 March 1971, and is now based in Leeds, Yorkshire.^[1] He started his career at the relatively early age of 16 years old. By 1998, he had been promoted to the Football League's list of Assistant Referees.

This was followed in the year 2000 by elevation to the 'select group' of Assistant Referees. By 2003 he was refereeing Football Conference matches, and was appointed to control that year's FA County Youth Cup Final, where Northumberland defeated Liverpool 1-0, the only goal being scored by David Hope after 56 minutes.^[2]

At the start of the 2003/2004 season, he joined the National List of Referees. He had the distinction of not having to dismiss any player from the field of play between August 2004 and October 2005.

Only two years after his Conference debut, he was appointed to his first Premiership game as 'man-in-the-middle', taking charge of the Manchester City versus Birmingham City tie on 20 April 2005, cautioning only one player and awarding the home side a penalty kick in a 3-0 result.^[3]^[4]

[edit] Statistical facts

9 January 2007
	Liverpool	3–6	Arsenal	Anfield, Liverpool Attendance: 42,614
	Fowler 33' Gerrard 68' Hyypia 80'		Aliadiere 27' Julio Baptista 40', 45', 60', 84' Song Billong Song Billong	Anfield, Liverpool Attendance: 42,614

The most goals that have been scored in a game officiated by Mr Atkinson are nine. This was in the League Cup match between Liverpool and Arsenal, on the 9 January 2007. Five of the nine goals were scored before half time. It was the first time Liverpool had conceded six goals at home in 77 years, and the first time that a single player had scored four goals against them at Anfield for over sixty seasons.^[5]