The Owls kick-off the new season in the capital this weekend

The referee for Sheffield Wednesday’s opening day trip to Leyton Orient has been confirmed.

The Owls open their League One account at Brisbane Road on Saturday in what is likely to be a tricky test as they adjust to life back in the third-tier. Wednesday will have several new signings in the starting line-up following a big summer rebuild. It remains to be seen if they hit the ground running or take time to gel, although they did collect a confidence-boosting 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup last weekend.

As for Orient, they appear to have suffered a hangover after missing out on promotion to the Championship two years ago, losing the play-off final to Charlton Athletic. Last season saw them struggle and narrowly avoid relegation but they have refreshed their squad this season, including signing former Sheffield United defender Alfie Gilchrist on loan from West Brom this week. However, they have lost star man Dom Bollard, who banged in 23 goals last season, to Bristol City. They have replaced him with Jaze Kabia from Grimsby Town.

The man in charge of the game will be referee Samuel Allison, a former firefighter. His assistants will be Paul Kelly and Colman O'Meara, while Sunny Singh Gill will be the fourth official. Allison made history when he became the Premier League's first black referee since Uriah Rennie when he was the man in the middle for Luton’s Town 3-2 win at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day 2023.

In the past, Blades boss Chris Wilder has said he is ‘not a fan’ of Allison, claiming he asked for Ross Barkley’s shirt after Luton’s win at United. While ex-Owls manager Danny Rohl was left baffled at some of Allison’s decision-making in a game against Stoke City in December 2024.