Everything you need to know about Saturday’s referee

Burnley take on Derby County in a crucial early season clash at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Clarets boss Nicky Hayen has described the game as a “must-win”, as he goes in search of his first league win.

His side currently prop up the Championship table, having taken just three points from their first seven games.

Things went from bad to worse last week in their last outing, as they went down to a miserable 3-1 defeat at Swansea City.

On Saturday, they face another struggling side in Derby, who also occupy a spot in the Championship’s bottom three.

John Eustace’s side squandered the lead to lose at home to Birmingham City in their last encounter.

Who is the referee for Burnley v Derby?

Stephen Martin, of Staffordshire.

He’s overseen three games so far this season, dishing out eight yellow cards but no reds.

Looking back to last season, Martin took charge of 30 fixtures and handed out 136 bookings - at an average of 4.5 per game - and just two reds.

The vast majority of his games have come in the Championship, although he’s also officiated in League’s One and Two as well.

He began his refereeing career in 2003 and ran the line in his first EFL game in 2007, having quickly progressed through the ranks.

Martin’s rapid rise saw him appointed to the EFL in 2008 as an assistant referee and to the National League as a referee in the same year.

After four years, Martin became a permanent referee in the EFL and has since taken charge of over 400 games.

What history does he have with Burnley?

This will be his first game involving Burnley since March 2025, when he was the man in the middle for the Clarets’ 4-0 win over Luton Town. He dismissed Hatters defender Kai Naismith for two early bookings as Scott Parker’s side enjoyed a comfortable victory on their way to automatic promotion.

It was the second 4-0 Burnley win he oversaw that year, having also taken charge of the resounding victory over Sheffield Wednesday a month earlier.

The only other blemish that season was the infamous 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which saw Burnley’s transfer madness come to a head during the final week of the transfer window.

Prior to the 2024/25 campaign, Martin also officiated a 4-0 Burnley win in October 2022 as Vincent Kompany’s side saw off Swansea City in comfortable fashion at Turf Moor. He sent off Swansea’s Joel Piroe relatively late on.

His run of Burnley wins go even further back, having refereed a 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday, a 5-0 thrashing of MK Dons and a narrow 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers during the 2015/16 season.

In 2013/14, he was also the man in the middle for Burnley’s 2-1 Championship win at Yeovil Town.

Who are the other officials?

Conor Brown and Callum Gough will run the line, while Michael Barlow is on fourth official duties.