Referee Martin Atkinson - Leeds, Yorkshire
Yorkshire-based referee Martin Atkinson takes charge of only his third Fulham fixture on Saturday when Charlton visit Craven Cottage.

Ref Atkinson must have friends in high places as he has gone from the Conference to the Premiership in two seasons. Last season he officiated at four Premiership games and so far this season he has looked after 14 games in the top flight.

He had a reputation of being a lenient referee in The Championship and managed to avoid sending anyone off between August 2004 and October 2005.

Referee Stats - 2005/2006

Ref Atkinson is blowing his whistle noticeable less than his mates but when he does use it he is more likely to issue a yellow. So far he has averaged more than 3 yellows a game, right on the Premiership referee average. In terms of red cards he has only pulled his little red card out once during his 14 Premiership games this season. He used it against man mountain Darren Moore when he was at West Brom. Ref Atkinson still has to make his first penalty decision this season in comparison to last season when he awarded 3 pens in 4 Premiership games.   Mr. Atkinson's Av Premiership Ref Total Match Avg Total Match Avg Games 14 16 Fouls 318 22.7 417 26.7 Yellows 43 3.1 48 3.1 Reds 1 0.1 3 0.2 Penalties 0 0.0 3 0.2 Fouls per Yellow - 7.4 - 8.6

Homer? (2005-2006) Total Home Away Total Games Fouls Yellow Red Pen Fouls Yellow Red Pen Fouls Yellow Red Pen 14 146 17 0 0 172 26 1 0 318 43 1 0   46% 40% 0% 0% 54% 60% 100% 0% - - - - Premiership Average 16 49% 41% 32% 64% 51% 59% 68% 36% 417 48 3 3 Ref Atkinson was the biggest homer in the Premiership at one point this season but now he is just a little worse than the average.Hopefully he reverts to his early attitude on Saturday.