---
title: "Newcastle United: Fans gutted as Martin Atkinson named as referee for Leicester City clash"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-fans-gutted-as-martin-atkinson-named-as-referee-for-leicester-city-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2020-01-01T08:00:31Z"
modified: "2020-01-01T08:00:31Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Fans gutted as Martin Atkinson named as referee for Leicester City clash

**With Newcastle United on a run of [two straight Premier League defeats](https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/newcastle-united-football-club/664/matches/) and a match against second-placed Leicester City on the horizon, the Magpies may need all the help they can get for a decent result.**

\[freshpress-poll id=”268528″\]

However, plenty of fans were gutted following the announcement that Martin Atkinson had been named as the official for the afternoon clash.

This season, Atkinson has taken charge of [three Newcastle fixtures](https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/referee-revealed-for-new-years-day/) before the upcoming game, with the Magpies victorious on his last visit when they saw off Bournemouth in November.

Some supporters saw the bright side – fearing Atkinson’s colleagues Mike Dean or Lee Mason would be called upon instead.

Although, much of the reaction to the decision was negative from the Magpies fanbase, with several supporters pretty downbeat ahead of the meeting with the Foxes, who smashed Steve Bruce’s side [5-0](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49785376) back in September.

Below are some of the responses to the club’s Twitter account after it relayed the news, with some supporters less than pleased:

> At least it’s not Lee Mason again.
>
> — Rinchen Gonpo (@Rinch08) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/Rinch08/status/1211950974882873345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Ruined me new year and it’s only 10 clock.
>
> — Jac Ridley (@JacRidley2) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/JacRidley2/status/1211949538040266752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Confused Crowd Incoming
>
> — Alex Maxwell (@MaxwellA98) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/MaxwellA98/status/1211973070572965889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Gonna lose 6 nowt anyway so what does it matter? 😂
>
> — JamboMalumbo (@JamboMalumbo) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/JamboMalumbo/status/1211952566277484544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Another dodgy referee
>
> 🙈
>
> — Grant (@Grant\_Richy) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/Grant_Richy/status/1211982572647047168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> 3 points for the opposition then
>
> — Graham Walker (@Grey\_ham79) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/Grey_ham79/status/1211951534092824577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [pic.twitter.com/SOuqLrnHRP](https://t.co/SOuqLrnHRP)
>
> — 🌸ella🌸 (@nufcfootballl) [December 31, 2019](https://twitter.com/nufcfootballl/status/1211956958858743808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Newcastle fans, what are your hopes for 2020? How far can Bruce take you over the next few months? Let us know below!***