Wigan Athletic's rise to the Premier League is a fairytale that is due on no small part to funding from Dave Whelan. Every club needs a wealthy benefactor and the Latics struck gold when Whelan took over at the helm in 1995. The club, which was then based at the antiquated Springfield Park, were in the bottom tier of the Football League and had never been higher than League One as it is now known. In fact, they had only been members of the Football League since 1978 having plied their trade in the Northern Premier League before replacing Southport. However, Whelan obviously saw latent potential and promised supporters they would be watching Premier League football. No-one believed Whelan at that time but he kept his promise and delivered a brand spanking new JJB Stadium whilst delivering top flight football in 2005. They have survived three seasons in the top flight and managed to reach the final of the Carling Cup in 2006 before being beaten by Manchester United. However, Wigan Athletic have reached finals before and been successful winning the Freight Rover Trophy in 1985 and its subsequent incarnation as the Auto Windscreens Shield in 1999. The League One title was also bagged in 2003 but Wigan's Football League history of only 30 years is definitely at its peak now with Premier League football and five figure attendances on a weekly basis. Givemefootball.com brings you the latest Wigan Athletic news and exclusive player interviews.
Official Club Website
Official Club Ticket Info
More pictures
Goalkeeper:
Defender:
Midfielder:
Forward:
James Milner fired Aston Villa firmly into Champions League contention by settling
Martin O'Neill tips his English trio for the plane to South Africa ahead of the trip to the DW Stadium
Team line-up from: The DW Stadium
Liverpool v Portsmouth
The Latics are close to full fitness ahead of the clash with Martin O'Neill's Villains
Wigan Athletic are reportedly planning a summer move for EEPNI’s flying wing back Ahmed Al-Muhammadi
