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===Life in the local leagues===
===Life in the local leagues===
Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, following the winding up of [[Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]] the previous year. Wigan Athletic was the fifth attempt to create a stable football club in the town following the demise of [[Wigan County F.C.|Wigan County]], [[Wigan United A.F.C.|Wigan United]], [[Wigan Town A.F.C.|Wigan Town]] and Wigan Borough. [[Springfield Park (Wigan)|Springfield Park]], the former home of Wigan Borough, was purchased by the club for £2,850.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/History/0,,10429~709739,00.html | title=1932–78 – The Formation of Wigan Athletic | publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref> Despite their initial application being turned down, Wigan Athletic were elected into the [[Cheshire County League]] following the resignation of [[Manchester Central F.C.|Manchester Central]]. The club had also made the first of many attempts to be admitted into the [[The Football League|Football League]], but failed to receive a single vote. On 27 August 1932, Wigan Athletic played their first ever league game against [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale Reserves]]. The team played in red and white shirts with black shorts.<ref name="kits">{{cite web | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Wigan_Athletic/wigan_athletic.htm | title=Wigan Athletic | publisher=Historical Football Kits | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref>
Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, the biggest fan Josh Mills the baddest Irishman, following the winding up of [[Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]] the previous year. Wigan Athletic was the fifth attempt to create a stable football club in the town following the demise of [[Wigan County F.C.|Wigan County]], [[Wigan United A.F.C.|Wigan United]], [[Wigan Town A.F.C.|Wigan Town]] and Wigan Borough. [[Springfield Park (Wigan)|Springfield Park]], the former home of Wigan Borough, was purchased by the club for £2,850.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/History/0,,10429~709739,00.html | title=1932–78 – The Formation of Wigan Athletic | publisher=Wigan Athletic F.C. | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref> Despite their initial application being turned down, Wigan Athletic were elected into the [[Cheshire County League]] following the resignation of [[Manchester Central F.C.|Manchester Central]]. The club had also made the first of many attempts to be admitted into the [[The Football League|Football League]], but failed to receive a single vote. On 27 August 1932, Wigan Athletic played their first ever league game against [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale Reserves]]. The team played in red and white shirts with black shorts.<ref name="kits">{{cite web | url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Wigan_Athletic/wigan_athletic.htm | title=Wigan Athletic | publisher=Historical Football Kits | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref>


Wigan Athletic won its first honours in the 1933–34 season, finishing as champions of the Cheshire League. In the following season, the club won a second league championship and also entered the [[FA Cup]] for the first time,<ref name="fchd">{{cite web | url=http://www.fchd.info/WIGANA.HTM | title=Wigan Athletic | publisher=Football Club History Database | first=Richard | last=Rundle | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref> defeating [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] 6–1 in the first round – a cup record for the biggest victory by a non-league club over a league club, which has since been equalled in 1955 by [[Boston United F.C.|Boston United]], and again in 1957 by [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]]. In the 1935–36 season, the club won its third consecutive Cheshire League title and the [[Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy|Lancashire Junior Cup]].
Wigan Athletic won its first honours in the 1933–34 season, finishing as champions of the Cheshire League. In the following season, the club won a second league championship and also entered the [[FA Cup]] for the first time,<ref name="fchd">{{cite web | url=http://www.fchd.info/WIGANA.HTM | title=Wigan Athletic | publisher=Football Club History Database | first=Richard | last=Rundle | accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref> defeating [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] 6–1 in the first round – a cup record for the biggest victory by a non-league club over a league club, which has since been equalled in 1955 by [[Boston United F.C.|Boston United]], and again in 1957 by [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]]. In the 1935–36 season, the club won its third consecutive Cheshire League title and the [[Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy|Lancashire Junior Cup]].

Revision as of 12:02, 7 November 2013

Wigan Athletic
Full nameWigan Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s)Latics
Founded1932; 92 years ago (1932)
GroundDW Stadium,
Wigan
Capacity25,138
ChairmanDave Whelan
ManagerOwen Coyle
LeagueThe Championship
2012–13Premier League, 18th
(relegated)
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, who compete in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded in 1932, the club is the most recently formed club in the division.[1]

They have played at the DW Stadium since 1999,[2] sharing the stadium with rugby league club Wigan Warriors.[3] They previously played at Springfield Park for 67 years.[4] The club's nickname is Latics, derived from a contraction of the word "Athletic". They are the current holders of the FA Cup. They have also won the Second Division, Third Division and are two-times winners of the Football League Trophy, along with numerous regional football competitions from their time as a non-league club. The club will embark on its first European campaign during the 2013–14 season in the UEFA Europa League group stages.

History

Life in the local leagues

Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, the biggest fan Josh Mills the baddest Irishman, following the winding up of Wigan Borough the previous year. Wigan Athletic was the fifth attempt to create a stable football club in the town following the demise of Wigan County, Wigan United, Wigan Town and Wigan Borough. Springfield Park, the former home of Wigan Borough, was purchased by the club for £2,850.[5] Despite their initial application being turned down, Wigan Athletic were elected into the Cheshire County League following the resignation of Manchester Central. The club had also made the first of many attempts to be admitted into the Football League, but failed to receive a single vote. On 27 August 1932, Wigan Athletic played their first ever league game against Port Vale Reserves. The team played in red and white shirts with black shorts.[6]

Wigan Athletic won its first honours in the 1933–34 season, finishing as champions of the Cheshire League. In the following season, the club won a second league championship and also entered the FA Cup for the first time,[7] defeating Carlisle United 6–1 in the first round – a cup record for the biggest victory by a non-league club over a league club, which has since been equalled in 1955 by Boston United, and again in 1957 by Hereford United. In the 1935–36 season, the club won its third consecutive Cheshire League title and the Lancashire Junior Cup.

After the Second World War, Wigan Athletic adopted their more familiar blue and white strip.[6] The club struggled to assemble a competitive side, and finished bottom of the league in 1946–47 season. Despite their pre-war success, the club failed to gain re-election and were replaced by Winsford United. The club joined the Lancashire Combination, winning the league in their first season.[7] In 1950, Wigan Athletic came close to election to the Football League, narrowly losing out to Scunthorpe United F.C.. In the 1953–54 season, Wigan played an FA Cup match against Hereford United in front of a crowd of 27,526 – a club record and also a record attendance for a match between two non-league teams at a non-league ground. In the next round of the cup, Wigan Athletic were drawn against First Division side Newcastle United. Wigan Athletic held their top flight opponents to a 2–2 draw at St James' Park, but went on to lose the replay 3–2. In 1961, the club moved back to the Cheshire League.

In the 1964–65 season, Wigan Athletic won their first Cheshire League title since returning to the league,[7] with top goalscorer Harry Lyon scoring 66 times. During the following season, Lyon, who would ultimately become Wigan Athletic's all-time leading goalscorer, was notable for his role in an FA Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers. In the 18th minute of the match, Lyon was stretchered off after tearing his ankle ligaments, but after receiving treatment (including reportedly drinking a small amount of whisky[8]) he returned to the field later in the first half with his ankle heavily strapped. Lyon went on to score a hat trick in the second half of the game in their 3–1 win.[9] In 1968, Wigan Athletic were founder members of the Northern Premier League. Winning the league title in 1970–71, leading goalscorer with 42 goals, including 7 hat-tricks, was Geoff Davies who scored 28 goals in the following 1971–72 season. After 34 failed election attempts, including one controversial but headline-making application in 1972 to join the Scottish League Second Division, Wigan Athletic were elected to the Football League in 1978.

The first floodlit match played at Springfield Park was on 19 October 1966, when Wigan Athletic played Crewe Alexandra, with the official opening of the floodlights on 24 October 1966, when Manchester City were the visitors. City brought a full strength team to Springfield Park and won 4–0.

Early league years: 1978–1995

Wigan Athletic's original league kit

Wigan Athletic finished in second place in the Northern Premier League in the 1977–78 season, behind winners Boston United. But as Boston's ground and facilities did not meet the Football League criteria for a League club, whereas Springfield Park did, Wigan Athletic were put forward for election to the league. There was no automatic promotion to the Football League until 1987, and at that time a club had to be 'voted out' of the League to allow a non-league team to be promoted in their place. At the end of the 1977–78 season, Southport finished next to bottom of the old Fourth Division, and faced off with Wigan Athletic for their place in the League. The first round of voting was tied, with both clubs receiving 26 votes. After a tense re-vote which Wigan controversially won 29–20, Southport lost their place in the Fourth Division and Wigan Athletic became an English League club on 2 June 1978.[10]

In the club's first season of League football, Wigan Athletic finished in sixth place, just six points off promotion and playing in front of an average crowd of 6,701.[11] Two more top-half finishes came in the following seasons, though a relatively weak 1980–81 season saw the dismissal of long-serving manager Ian McNeill shortly before the end of the season. They gained their first Football League promotion under the management of former Liverpool player Larry Lloyd in 1981–82, when a points tally of 91 saw them join the former Division Three for the first time, beginning a 10-year spell in English football's third tier. The club struggled in their first season in Division Three, which led to Lloyd's controversial sacking in early 1983, at which point Bobby Charlton, a director at the time, took over as temporary manager before being replaced by Harry McNally. Under McNally's management, the club stabilised in Division Three and secured a pair of mid-table finishes, but a dreadful 1984–85 season cost him his job, with Tranmere manager Bryan Hamilton stepping into the breach. Under Hamilton's management, the club's performances went to the next level and they won their first silverware as a League club that season with the Freight Rover Trophy. They were beaten in the Northern Final of the same competition the following season by Bolton Wanderers. More importantly, Hamilton achieved Division Three survival, which had looked an impossible task earlier that season.

The 1985–86 season saw a marked improvement in the club's league form, eventually finishing in fourth position, a then-club record high which would stand for 17 years until 2002–03. Wigan Athletic finished the season just one point outside the promotion places in the final season before the Football League introduced the play-off system for promotion and relegation. However, Hamilton's feats attracted the attention of First Division Leicester City and he left to become their manager in the summer 1986. His assistant, Ray Mathias, who had followed him from Tranmere, stepped up to the Wigan Athletic manager's job. Wigan Athletic managed an identical fourth place finish in the 1986–87 season, but this time were rewarded with the chance to compete for the final promotion place in the new play-off system. (In the first two years of the play-off system, teams finishing 3rd, 4th and 5th joined the team finishing 20th in the division above to play-off for the promotion place; this was changed to the teams finishing 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th from the 1988–89 season). The Latics lost at the two-legged semi-final stage to Swindon, who went on to win the final promotion place.

The fourth place finishes of the 1985–86 and 1986–87 seasons proved to be the high points of Wigan Athletic's first stint in Division 3. For the next five years, they finished mid-table, flirting with relegation in 1988–89 (at which time Mathias was sacked and previous manager Bryan Hamilton returned) and 1989–90, until they were relegated for the first time in the club's League history in 1992–93. Wigan Athletic finished in 23rd place, amid tumbling attendances which had fallen from averages of 3,000–4,000 in Wigan Athletic's Division 3 years to just 2,593 in 1992–93.[11] Hamilton resigned shortly before the club were relegated, and was replaced by Kenny Swain. A year later, with the club back in the fourth tier of the English League, the Latics finished fourth from bottom, in 19th place. While there was no relegation that season due to the lack of a promotable club in the Football Conference, this remains the club's lowest-ever finish. The following season would prove to be arguably even worse, as Swain was sacked early in the campaign following a horrific start, and former player Graham Barrow took over as manager. Despite the club being rooted to the bottom of the table until the start of December, the second half of the campaign saw a major upturn in form, and they finished well clear of the relegation zone in 15th place. Attendances fell to a lowest-ever Wigan Athletic League average of 1,845 by 1995.

Rising through the league: 1995–2005

Local entrepreneur Dave Whelan acquired the club in 1995, providing funds to move into the JJB Stadium, now named the DW Stadium in his honour.
Wigan Athletic's club crest, from 1989 to 2008.

In February 1995, local millionaire and owner of JJB Sports, Dave Whelan purchased the club. Through Whelan's business connections in Spain he attracted three Spaniards to the club – Roberto Martínez, Isidro Diaz, and Jesus Seba – who became known as 'The Three Amigos'.[12] The trio became the on-pitch symbols of Whelan's ambitious plan to take Wigan Athletic into the Premier League. 'The Three Amigos' were joined at the club by John Deehan, who replaced Barrow as manager during the 1995–96 season following a 6–2 home defeat to Mansfield Town. Deehan took the Latics within two points of a play-off place in his first season; the club had in fact been in the final automatic promotion spot with four games remaining, but lost them all and so failed to even make the play-offs. The following year Wigan Athletic became Division Three champions on the last day of the season, Graeme Jones scoring a club record 31 league goals in the process. In most seasons they would have been runners-up, but a temporary rule change which saw goals scored take precedence over goal difference allowed them to finish above runners-up Fulham, who had the same number of points and a better goal difference.

Following a mid-table finish in Division Two the following season, Deehan quit to become Steve Bruce's assistant at Sheffield United. He was succeeded by Ray Mathias, who returned for his third stint as Wigan Athletic manager. Mathias' team won the Football League Trophy in 1999, beating Millwall 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. The same season the Latics reached the Division Two play-offs, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Manchester City. Mathias was sacked, and replaced by John Benson. He led the team to the top of Division Two in his first six months, but they were only able to qualify for the play-offs. In what was the last ever Division Two play-off final to be played at the old Wembley Stadium, Wigan lost 3–2 after extra time to Gillingham

Benson moved 'upstairs' to the new post of Director of Football in the summer of 2000, when former Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch took the manager's job for the 2000–01 season. Rioch was hampered by severe injury problems and after a difficult and often unimpressive first half of the season left the club in February 2001. He was temporarily replaced by club stalwart Colin Greenall, before the surprise appointment of Steve Bruce for the final eight games of the season. His arrival brought renewed vigour to Wigan Athletic performances, but the club ultimately lost in the play-offs once again, this time against Reading. Following this blow, Bruce left for Crystal Palace after repeatedly pledging his future to Wigan Athletic, leaving behind a club both grateful for his help in getting so close to promotion and also angry and bitter at his betrayal.

In the summer of 2001, highly regarded young manager and former Latics forward Paul Jewell took over as manager following an unsuccessful spell at Sheffield Wednesday. His first season in charge saw mixed results and an embarrassing defeat to non-league Canvey Island in the FA Cup first round, although the club eventually finished in mid-table. Jewell's second season in charge was far more successful. Wigan Athletic went on a run to the quarter finals of the League Cup, beating Premier League opponents West Brom, Manchester City and Fulham en route. Wigan Athletic won the Division Two championship in 2002–03 with a points total of 100, powered by the goals of then-record £1.2 million signing Nathan Ellington, with a run of 10 consecutive wins along the way. The club lost only four times all season, and Wigan Athletic secured promotion to the second tier of the English Football League for the first time in their history.

After losing their first ever game in Division One, Wigan Athletic confounded expectations to go unbeaten for the next 17 games and sit atop the division by November 2003. A weak finish saw Wigan Athletic win only three of their last 10 games to finish seventh in Division One – a last minute goal by West Ham's Brian Deane in the final game of the season saw the Latics drop out of the play-off places in favour of eventual play-off winners Crystal Palace.

Hoping to build on the previous season's disappointing finish, the Latics went one better than 2003–04 by remaining unbeaten for the first 17 games of the 2004–05 season. Along with Sunderland and Ipswich, the Latics remained in the promotion hunt all season. By the last day of the season, Sunderland had already won the title and Wigan needed at least a draw against Reading – who themselves needed to win to finish in sixth place – to beat Ipswich to the last automatic promotion spot. A 3–1 victory in front of their home fans at the JJB Stadium earned Wigan Athletic promotion to the top division of the English football for the first time in their 73-year history.

Wigan in the Premier League: 2005–2013

Wigan Athletic's first Premier League match against Chelsea

The club's first ever Premier League game was a home match against champions Chelsea, a game they lost only to a 94th minute winner by Hernán Crespo. A successful run followed, and by November Wigan Athletic were second in the league. Good league form was coupled with an equally strong performance in the Football League Cup, with the Latics reaching their first ever major cup final after defeating Arsenal on away goals in the semi-final. In the final, Wigan Athletic were defeated 4–0 by neighbours Manchester United.[13] Wigan Athletic eventually finished the season in 10th place, which remains the club's highest ever league placing. Defender Pascal Chimbonda was also included in the 2005–06 PFA Team of the Season, capping off his season by being picked for the France squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Wigan Athletic failed in their bid for European football and opted not to take part in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

During the close season, Wigan Athletic sold many who had starred in their first season in the Premier League, as Jimmy Bullard left for Fulham, Jason Roberts joined Blackburn Rovers, and Stéphane Henchoz was released. Wigan Athletic brought in high-profile replacements including Emile Heskey, Denny Landzaat, Chris Kirkland and Antonio Valencia to try to build on their successful Premier League debut. After a mid-table start to the 2006–07 season, Wigan Athletic's fortunes dipped dramatically with eight consecutive losses from mid-December, but after arresting the slump Wigan Athletic stood 15th in the Premier League in early March and finally seemed to be moving away from the relegation mire. But a series of defeats and the resurgence of rival strugglers meant Wigan Athletic faced the threat of relegation. On the final day of the season, Wigan Athletic got a 2–1 away win against Sheffield United, guaranteeing their Premier League status for another year and in doing so relegating Sheffield United to the Championship. The following day, Paul Jewell unexpectedly resigned as manager; his assistant Chris Hutchings was appointed as his replacement.

Wigan Athletic's third Premier League campaign saw the club trying to fully establish itself in the division following a disappointing second season. The playing squad had changed almost entirely from the promotion-winning side. Ageing players Arjan De Zeeuw, Matt Jackson, John Filan made way, along with Lee McCulloch, who sealed his dream move to Rangers. Leighton Baines also rejected a new contract and signed for his boyhood team Everton. Titus Bramble, Mario Melchiot, Jason Koumas (for £5.3 million) and much travelled striker Marcus Bent were among the players brought in. Melchiot was installed as the new club captain. For the 2007–08 season, Wigan Athletic's home shirt returned to the club's traditional blue and white stripes, having been blue with white sleeves the previous season as well. The away shirt became white with slate trim, with slate shorts and slate socks. A slate grey third kit with royal blue trim was also introduced.

The 2007–08 season began well for Wigan Athletic, topping the Premier League after three games for the first time in their history. Wigan Athletic's strong start saw Emile Heskey recalled to the England Squad for the first time since 2005. He became the first Wigan Athletic player to represent England whilst a full member of the squad (Chris Kirkland earned his first cap while at Wigan Athletic, but was on loan from Liverpool at the time). However, Heskey broke his foot immediately after his England call-up, and was out injured for six weeks. The club's league position subsequently worsened, and on the back of a run of six consecutive defeats Wigan Athletic plummeted into the relegation zone. Chairman Dave Whelan took the decision to sack manager Chris Hutchings on 5 November 2007, after only 12 games in charge.

Former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce replaced Hutchings. Bruce had just resigned as Birmingham City manager, and signed a £2m-a-year deal to try to keep Wigan Athletic in the Premier League. Wigan Athletic had to pay a reported £3 million in compensation to Birmingham for Bruce's services. His appointment saw Wigan Athletic end their losing streak, but consistency evaded the Latics, although Bruce did soon achieve something neither Jewell nor Hutchings had managed previously – a 1–1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool; the first time Wigan Athletic had taken points off one of the so-called "Big Four" Premier League clubs. Bruce eventually oversaw a comparatively comfortable end to the season for Wigan Athletic, who finished 14th in the final table with 40 points – three places and two points higher than their finish the previous season.

In the summer of 2008, the team's kits were altered for the new season in part due to the club signing a new contract with Champion Sportswear. In Bruce's first pre-season with the club, his overhaul of the playing squad continued. The two biggest deals saw Lee Cattermole sign from Middlesbrough for £3.5-million, and highly-rated Egyptian striker Amr Zaki sign on an initial one-year loan. Zaki had scored 10 Premier League goals by February 2009, as Wigan Athletic reached seventh place in the table with 34 points from 25 games and looked certain to remain in the Premier League for a fifth successive season.

January saw the departure of two key first team members, Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey, to Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively. Despite these massive changes, Wigan Athletic finished the season in 11th place with 45 points, their second-best finish ever in the Premier League. On 3 June, Bruce left Wigan Athletic for the second time to take over the vacant manager position at Sunderland.[14] July saw the departure of another key first team member Antonio Valencia to Manchester United.[15] Before the 2009–10 season got underway, Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole left the club and signed for Sunderland, rejoining Bruce in the process.

Roberto Martínez era: 2009–2013

Former Wigan player Roberto Martínez managed the club to victory in the 2013 FA Cup Final, their first major honour.

Wigan Athletic appointed Roberto Martínez, then manager of Swansea City, as manager prior to the 2009–10 Premier League.[16] He previously played for Wigan Athletic from 1995 to 2001. On 15 August 2009, Wigan Athletic won their opening game of the 2009–10 season, beating Aston Villa away, 2–0 The good form did not continue though, losing the next three games to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United and Everton before defeating West Ham United at the DW Stadium on 12 September 1–0 to claim three points. The winning run was short-lived, however, with a trip to Arsenal on 19 September ending in a 4–0 defeat. On 26 September Wigan Athletic claimed their first three points against a "Big 4" team after beating Chelsea 3–1, with goals from Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega and Paul Scharner.

On 22 November 2009, Tottenham Hotspur beat Wigan 9–1 at White Hart Lane, with 8 Tottenham goals coming in the second half.[17] This was the first time a Premier League club had conceded nine goals since Manchester United beat Ipswich 9–0 at Old Trafford in 1995.[17] The defeat was a club record for Wigan Athletic in the 31-year existence as a league club.

A late surge that included a 1–0 win over Liverpool and a 3–2 win over Arsenal – the latter of which saw Wigan Athletic recover from two goals down with ten minutes remaining to win in injury time – saw the team once more survive relegation. Most notably, having never defeated any of the traditional "Big Four" in the league until their win over Chelsea (and with only one win over any of them in cup competitions), Wigan Athletic ended the season having defeated three of them at home. They finished the season with an 8–0 defeat at Chelsea, who clinched the title with the victory.

At the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Wigan Athletic lost 4–0 to newly promoted Blackpool at the DW stadium, and a 6–0 thrashing at the DW stadium by Chelsea followed. The next game Wigan Athletic beat Tottenham 1–0 at White Hart Lane. Wigan Athletic fell to the bottom of the league by the end of February, following a 4–0 defeat to Manchester United.[18] However, despite remaining in the bottom three for the majority of the season, Wigan Athletic managed to retain their Premier League status on the last day of the season, defeating Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium thanks to a goal from Hugo Rodallega.[19]

On 20 February 2012, the club announced a financial loss of £7.2 million.[20] on 7 May Wigan Athletic simultaneously secured their Premier League status and relegated Blackburn Rovers with a 1–0 victory at Ewood Park.

On 31 December 2012 the club reported a net profit of £4.3m, the first profit in six years. The biggest expense at the club being wages, which has fallen from £39.9m to £37.7m, with turnover at the club increasing from £50.5m to £52.6m[21]

After beating Everton in the quarter-final and Millwall F.C. in the semi-final, Wigan reached the FA Cup Final for the first time in their history. In the final, played at Wembley Stadium, Wigan beat Manchester City 1–0, with a goal by Ben Watson scored in injury time.[22] Wigan's first ever major trophy also gave the club a place in the group stage of the Europa League.[23] Following their 4–1 defeat to Arsenal three days later, Wigan Athletic ended their eight year spell in the Premier League and became the first team to be relegated and win the FA Cup in the same season.

It was announced on 28 May that Martínez had been given reluctant permission to speak to another club.[24] On the 5th June it was announced that Martinez had left Wigan and had signed for Everton on a 4 year deal.[25]

Owen Coyle: 2013–present

On 14 June 2013, Dave Whelan revealed that a deal had been agreed with Owen Coyle to become the new manager of Wigan Athletic replacing outgoing manager Roberto Martinez who left for Everton. He won his first game away at Barnsley before being defeated by Manchester United in the Community Shield [26]

Stadium

Warm-up at the DW Stadium.

Wigan Athletic's stadium is the 25,138 capacity DW Stadium, part of the Robin Park complex in Wigan. It has been the club's home since the 1999–2000 season. Wigan Athletic own the stadium, but lease the ground to rugby league team Wigan Warriors,[27] The ground cost £30 million to construct. Previously, home games were played at Springfield Park, the former home of Wigan Borough. Springfield Park was demolished in June 1999; it is now the site of a housing development. The record attendance at the DW Stadium (then known as JJB Stadium) for Wigan Athletic is 25,133 for a match against Manchester United on 11 May 2008.

The JJB Stadium was the fourth attempt at re-development/re-location for Wigan Athletic, the first coming in 1986 when then-chairman Bill Kenyon revealed plans for a 15,000 all-seater development at Springfield Park including a hotel and shopping facilities. The club were to play at the nearby Woodhouse Stadium (formerly Wigan Municipal Stadium – now demolished) while the building work took place. In 1990, Kenyon submitted his second scheme which would cost £3m, hold 12–15,000 fans and involve moving the pitch nearer to the car park. Neither efforts got past the planning stage. The next chairman, Stephen Gage, spent most of 1993 and 1994 trying to relocate the Latics to the then Robin Park Stadium (now demolished) until his plans were scuppered by Wigan Council when the local council announced plans for their own ground involving Wigan Warriors. Mr Gage finally admitted defeat when he sold the Latics to Dave Whelan on 27 February 1995 for around £1m.

Plans for the JJB Stadium were first published in 1997. Contracts for the new stadium were signed in late 1997 and work began immediately. Originally the ground was to be built for both Wigan Athletic and Orrell R.U.F.C., as grants were only available for multi-use stadia at that time. Wigan Warriors did not figure in the equation until Dave Whelan bought the rugby league club some 12 months later after protracted negotiations with the directors of the rugby league club. The modern all-seater stadium was officially opened on 4 August 1999. Its inauguration was marked with a friendly between Wigan and neighbours Manchester United, who were then reigning European Champions, with Alex Ferguson officially opening the stadium. However, Wigan Athletic hosted Morecambe three days earlier on 1 August as a dress rehearsal for the official opening against Manchester United. The game was played during a violent electrical storm and torrential rain, even so, 4,020 supporters attended and the game ended in a goalless draw. The first competitive football match took place on 7 August 1999, with Wigan Athletic facing Scunthorpe United in a Division 2 match. Simon Haworth scored twice, including the first competitive goal at the new stadium, as Athletic won 3–0.

On 7 March 2005 Greater Manchester police announced that they would stop policing Wigan Athletic matches at the stadium from 2 April. This move later, Wigan Athletic, facing the prospect of playing their home games in the Premier League in an empty stadium, paid the money they owed to the police. The club appealed against the payments in court and won, with the claims expected to earn the club around £37,000.[28]

On 25 March 2009 it was announced that Wigan Athletic would change the name of their stadium to The DW Stadium, after chairman Dave Whelan's commercial venture, DW Sports Fitness.[29]

Club shop

On 9 April 2009, Steve Bruce, Brenda Spencer, Michael Brown and club captain, Mario Melchiot, unveiled the Latics' new club shop, housed in the Springfield Stand (West) of the DW Stadium.[30]

Rivalries

One of Wigan Athletic's longest and recently forgotten rivalries was with Lancashire based club Chorley F.C., although the two clubs have not played a league game since 1971 when they were in the Northern Premier League. Since Wigan Athletic's admission to the Football League in 1978, the club has built up several rivalries, mainly with Bolton Wanderers, the club's main derby match. They also have a lesser rivalry with Preston North End. There is also a long standing issue with Wigan Rugby League which predates the club.[31] This worsened when Latics entered the Football League in 1978 and was exacerbated in the mid-1980s when one of the then Wigan directors, Maurice Lindsay, made derogatory comments about the football club during a television interview.[32]

European record

Wigan's victory in the 2013 FA Cup Final qualified them for European football for the first time, by earning them an automatic place in the Group Stage of the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League.

Season Competition Round Opponents Home Away Aggregate
2013–14 UEFA Europa League Group stage Slovenia Maribor 3–1
Russia Rubin Kazan 1–1
Belgium Zulte Waregem 0–0

Players

As of 30 October 2013.[33][34]

First-team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Scott Carson
3 DF Scotland SCO Stephen Crainey
4 DF England ENG Ryan Shotton (on loan from Stoke City)
5 DF Scotland SCO Gary Caldwell (captain)
6 DF Norway NOR Thomas Rogne
7 MF Ireland EIR Chris McCann
8 MF England ENG Ben Watson (3rd captain)
9 FW England ENG Grant Holt
10 MF Scotland SCO Shaun Maloney
11 MF Ireland EIR James McClean
12 GK England ENG Mike Pollitt
13 GK England ENG Lee Nicholls
14 MF Spain ESP Jordi Gómez
15 FW England ENG Callum McManaman
16 MF Scotland SCO James McArthur
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 DF Barbados BRB Emmerson Boyce (vice-captain)
18 MF Honduras HON Roger Espinoza
19 MF England ENG Nick Powell (on loan from Manchester United)
21 DF Spain ESP Iván Ramis
22 MF Chile CHI Jean Beausejour
23 DF Honduras HON Juan Carlos García
24 DF England ENG James Perch
25 DF England ENG Leon Barnett
26 GK Oman OMA Ali Al-Habsi
28 MF England ENG Daniel Redmond
29 MF France FRA Nouha Dicko
32 FW France FRA Marc-Antoine Fortuné
33 MF England ENG Marc Albrighton (on loan from Aston Villa)
43 DF England ENG Adam Buxton

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF Scotland SCO Fraser Fyvie (at Yeovil Town until 1 January 2014)[35]
27 DF England ENG Jordan Mustoe (at Bury until 2 November 2013)[36]
No. Pos. Nation Player
30 DF Ireland EIR Rob Kiernan (at Southend United until 11 January 2014)[37]

Club officials

Directors Name
Chairman Dave Whelan
Vice-chairman Phillip Williams
Chief executive Jonathan Jackson
Directors Brian Ashcroft
John Winstanley
Coaching staff Name
Manager Owen Coyle
Assistant manager Sandy Stewart
First team coach Graham Barrow
Development Squad coach Dennis Lawrence
Youth Team coach John Doolan
Goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes
Strength and Conditioning Coach James Barrow
Head Physiotherapist Andy Mitchell
Physiotherapist Alex Cribley
Physiotherapist Russell Hitchen
Masseur David Hallam
Kit Manager Dave Mitten
Head of Performance Analysis Jamie Roberts

Notable former players

Player of the Year (1979–2013)

Year Winner[38]
1979 England Tommy Gore
1980 England John Brown
1981 Scotland Colin Methven
1982 England Les Bradd
1983 England Jimmy Weston
1984 England John Butler
1985 England Tony Kelly
1986 Scotland Colin Methven
1987 England Barry Knowles
1988 England David Hamilton
1989 England David Thompson
1990 England Peter Atherton
1991 England Peter Atherton
1992 England Phil Daley
1993 England Allen Tankard
1994 England Andy Lyons
1995 England Neill Rimmer
 
Year Winner
1996 Spain Roberto Martínez
1997 England Graeme Jones
1998 England David Lowe
1999 England Colin Greenall
2000 Scotland Andy Liddell
2001 Netherlands Arjan De Zeeuw
2002 Netherlands Arjan De Zeeuw
2003 Canada Jason De Vos
2004 Australia John Filan
2005 Grenada Jason Roberts
2006 Netherlands Arjan De Zeeuw
2007 England Leighton Baines
2008 Austria Paul Scharner
2009 England Titus Bramble
2010 France Charles N'Zogbia
2011 Oman Ali Al-Habsi
2012 Scotland Gary Caldwell
 
Year Winner
2013 Scotland Shaun Maloney

Managers

As listed on the official Wigan Athletic website.[39]

Period Manager
1932–1937 England Charlie Spencer
1946–1947 Scotland Jimmy Milne
1949–1952 Scotland Bob Pryde
1952–1954 England Ted Goodier
1954–1955 England Walter Crook
1955–1956 England Ron Suart
1956 Northern Ireland Billy Cook
1957 England Sam Barkas
1957–1958 England Trevor Hitchen
1958–1959 England Malcolm Barrass
1959 Jimmy Shirley
1959–1960 Pat Murphy
1960 England Allenby Chilton
1961–1963 England Johnny Ball
1963–1966 Scotland Allan Brown
1966–1967 Alf Craig
1967–1968 England Harry Leyland
1968 Alan Saunders
1968–1970 Scotland Ian McNeill
1970–1972 England Gordon Milne
 
Period Manager
1972–1974 England Les Rigby
1974–1976 England Brian Tiler
1976–1981 Scotland Ian McNeill
1981–1983 England Larry Lloyd
1983–1985 England Harry McNally
1985–1986 Northern Ireland Bryan Hamilton
1986–1989 England Ray Mathias
1989–1993 Northern Ireland Bryan Hamilton
1993 England Dave Philpotts
1993–1994 England Kenny Swain
1994–1995 England Graham Barrow
1995–1998 England John Deehan
1998–1999 England Ray Mathias
1999–2000 Scotland John Benson
2000–2001 Scotland Bruce Rioch
2001 England Steve Bruce
2001–2007 England Paul Jewell
2007 England Chris Hutchings
2007–2009 England Steve Bruce
2009–2013 Spain Roberto Martínez
 
Period Manager
2013– Republic of Ireland Owen Coyle

Honours

League

Runners-up (1): 2004–05
Winners (1): 2002–03
Winners (1): 1996–97
Promoted (1): 1981–82

Cup

Winners (1): 2013
Runners-up (1): 2006
Winners (2): 1984–85, 1998–99

Records

Antonio Valencia's £16 million sale to Manchester United in 2009 is the largest transfer involving Wigan Athletic.

References

  1. ^ "Wigan Athletic Football Club". visitbritain.com (visitBritain). Retrieved 13 June 2009.
  2. ^ "JJB Stadium – Facts & Figures". Wigan Warriors. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  3. ^ "Wigan Athletic : Statistics". 11v11.com (The Football Genome Project). Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  4. ^ "Springfield Park, Wigan Athletic FC". oldgrounds.co.uk (Old Football Grounds). Archived from the original on 25 May 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
  5. ^ "1932–78 – The Formation of Wigan Athletic". Wigan Athletic F.C. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Wigan Athletic". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  7. ^ a b c Rundle, Richard. "Wigan Athletic". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  8. ^ Winter, Henry (8 January 2005). "Romance lives on in the eyes of millions despite the antics of a few rich boys". Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  9. ^ Holland, James (18 November 1965). "Lyon the hero of Wigan Athletic's victory". The Guardian. p. 14. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  10. ^ A History of Football in Wigan wafc.co.uk
  11. ^ a b English clubs in the past – Wigan Athletic
  12. ^ The Three Amigos Ultimate Wigan Athletic Website (on Tiscali)
  13. ^ "Man Utd ease to Carling Cup glory". BBC Sport. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  14. ^ "Bruce named as Sunderland manager". BBC Sport. 3 June 2009.
  15. ^ "United sign Valencia". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. 30 June 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  16. ^ "Wigan finally land boss Martinez". BBC Sport. 15 June 2009.
  17. ^ a b Fletcher, Paul (22 November 2009). "Tottenham 9–1 Wigan". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 23 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Wigan Athletic 0–4 Manchester United Club Call, 26 February 2011
  19. ^ "Rodallega saves Wigan". ESPN Soccernet. 22 May 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  20. ^ "Wigan Athletic announce net loss of £7.2m". BBC News. 20 February 2012.
  21. ^ "Wigan makes first profit for six years". BBC News. 31 December 2012.
  22. ^ "FA Cup final: Manchester City v Wigan – LIVE!". The Independent. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  23. ^ "Giant killers Wigan win FA Cup with dramatic last minute goal against Manchester City". Daily Mail. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  24. ^ "Club Statement". Wigan Athletic. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  25. ^ "Roberto Martinez: Everton appoint former Wigan manager". BBC Sport. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  26. ^ "Wigan Athletic: Owen Coyle will be Roberto Martinez's successor". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. 14 June 2013.
  27. ^ Andrews, Phil (29 November 1999). "Football: Wigan building brighter future on solid ground". The Independent. London. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  28. ^ "Police match cost appeal success". BBC News. 19 December 2008.
  29. ^ "Latics reveal name change" football.co.uk
  30. ^ POP IN THE SHOP Wigan Athletic Official Website
  31. ^ Wigan Examiner: 4 January 1908
  32. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGEpJ7oUzaE
  33. ^ "Team". Wigan Athletic F.C. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  34. ^ "Flitcroft on Watford Rhythm". barnsleyfc.co.uk. Barnsley FC. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013. ... Mike Pollitt returned to parent club Wigan with a groin injury.
  35. ^ "Fraser Fyvie: Wigan midfielder joins Yeovil Town on loan". BBC Sport. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  36. ^ "MUSTOE JOINS BURY ON LOAN". wiganlatics.co.uk. Wigan Athletic FC. 1 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  37. ^ "KIERNAN JOINS SOUTHEND ON LOAN". wiganlatics.co.uk. Wigan Athletic FC. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  38. ^ "Player of the Year". Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  39. ^ "A role call of Wigan Athletic managers". Wigan Athletic FC. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  40. ^ Fifield, Dominic (22 November 2009). "Jermain Defoe scores five as Tottenham rout Wigan". The Guardian. London.

External links

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