Wigan Athletic

Wigan Athletic are one of 8 Premier League clubs situated in the north west of England . They were formed in 1932, have a fierce rivalry with Bolton Wanderers and were promoted to the Premier League in 2005. After a 3-1 win on the last day vs Reading . Finishing the 2004-05 season with 87 points, the Latics could look forward to the big time for the first time in the club's history. Wigan are renowned across the footballing nation as a team that has gone very far in a short amount of time, and plenty of lower league clubs have been quoted aiming to "Do a Wigan." Since Dave Whelan took over the club in 1995, Wigan have surpassed all expectations, an ambitous Dave Whelan was quoted saying shortly after buying the club "We'll be in the Premier League in 10 years." People may have laughed at him, and although Whelan's prediction was a little off (albeit by a year) Wigan surprised everyone. And kept breking records and earning promotion and praises, ever sinse Whelan walked in to Springfield Park. Latics, then in the old Division 3, now League 2, were a small club generating attendances of around 3,000. And were languishing in the sewers of English football, making the away trips to Macclesfield, Rochdale, Torquay and the likes. It took the Whelan revelation 3 years to get promotion from Division 3, but in 1997 promotion was achieved, with the help of 31 League goals from goalscoring revelation Graeme Jones. Now Assistant Manager to another former player Roberto Martinez. Who himself incidently, was one of the three amigo's Whelan brought in from Spain . A clear sign of his intent to make the Latics an international force. In 1999 a new chapter in the club's history began. Sir Alex Ferguson opened the brand new JJB Stadium, as his Man Utd team were the first visitors to the 25,000 capacity stadium. Wigan lost 2-0, but it was a start to the new era. The Latics' final game at Springfield Park was a 1-1 Play Off draw against Man City, the club said goodbye to their old ground, but it was a sign of promise as Wigan were a club that grew out of their stadium. It took Wigan a while to gain promotion from Division 2 (League 1) but eventually in 2003 they made it, a staggering total of 100 points enough to soar them ahead of the chasing pack and into the second tier of English football for the first time. It was this season that saw the first act of legendaryness for majestic boss Paul Jewell, who is still loved on the Latics' terraces. Whelan had a plan, and Jewell was the man that put it into action. Thanks to the goalscoring powers of Andy Liddell and Nathan Ellington, and the incredible leadership of centre halfs Jason de Vos and Matt Jackson, Wigan made it to Division 1 for the 2003-04 season. Having been put down as relegation candidates in pre-season, Wigan shocked everybody, leading the way for much off the early season, despite losing their way towards the end. Wigan finished 7th, dropping out of the play-off's on the final day. A last minute equaliser from Brian Deane against West Ham denied Wigan a play off spot. Crystal Palace   snook into 6th place and won promotion to the Premier League. A team who Wigan had beaten 5-0 earlier in the season. The 2004-05 seaosn brought new hope to Wigan, after a successful first year in Division 1. People wandered if they had what it takes to maintain a promotion challenge. After a low key summer, one which saw the departure of record League scorer Andy Liddell, Wigan said goodbye to the past and rocketed the club into an amazing future. The deadly duo of Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts scared Championship defences silly, managing 45 goals between them, they were the top 2 on the goalscoring charts (Ellington with 24 and Roberts with 21) fired Wigan into the next level. The top 3 were clear, as they broke away before christmas. It was clear that the promotion places would be teaken up by Sunderland Wigan and/or Ipswich. But only 2 could make it to the Premier League automatically, and although Sunderland broke away to take the title. Wigan had lead the way for most of the season, and remained favourites for the second spot. It went to the last day of the season, again, and Wigan had to equal or better Ipswich's result against Brighton, as they faced Reading at home. A team who needed a win to earn a play off spot. Wigan managed a 3-1 victory, making Ipswich's score irellevant. The dream had came true, and the hard work and money invested had been worth it as the JJB Stadium would grace Premier League football come what August 2005. In the summer of 2005, Wigan had alot of strengthening to do if they were to survive in the top flight. Everyone had them down as relegation certainties, Rodney Marsh even went to the totesport head quaters in Wigan to place a bet on Wigan winning no more then 6 matches all season. As expected, he is still a hated figure on the Wigan terraces. Wigan's ambition was underlined as Jewell and Whelan went out in search of the best players, Whelan had an audatious £10 miilion bid for Michael Owen turned down by Real Madrid, despite agreeing a fee with Chelsea, Scott Parker rejected the chance to join Wigan in favour of a move to Newcastle, Roy Carroll chose Upton Park over the JJB, it was clear Wigan had set their targets a bit high. A summer of much change saw the arrival of record signing Henri Camara, for £3,000,000 from Wolves, a signing that was seen as a risk, but Paul Jewell was determined for Camara to prove his doubters wrong. Jewell then wasted no time bringing in more players to the squad, former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz joined on a free from Celtic, veteran keeper Mike Pollitt joined from recently relegated Rotherham, promising youngster Ryan Taylor joined from Tranmere, Damien Francis joined from Norwich and an unknown frenchman Pascal Chimbonda joined for £500K from Bastia, he wouldn't remain unknown for long. Paul Jewell also secured the return of former captain and fans favourite Arjan De Zeeuw, who had fallen out of favour at Portsmouth . The fixture list had brought up a real eye brow raiser on the opening day, Latics would make their Premier League bow at home to champions Chelsea, but a few days before that game, Wigan lost their talismanic striker Nathan Ellington to West Brom . "The Duke" spent several years with Wigan, but after West Brom activated a clause in his contract by offering £3,000,001, the best days of his career came to an end. It was a vital blow for Wigan ahead of their opening game against Chelsea. But in the long run, Wigan didn't seem to miss him too much. After Mourinho's men were pushed all the way by a resurgant Wigan, the sucker punch came in the last minute as Hernan Crespo curled in a beautiful 93rd minute winner.  Wigan had been undone in the dieing seconds. But that wasn't going to dappen the spirits. Wigan made an excellent start to the season and were Chelsea's nearest rivals in second for much of October and November. Wigan managed wins against Sunderland 1-0, West Brom 2-1, Bolton 2-1, Everton 1-0, Aston Villa 2-0, Fulham 1-0 and Portsmouth 2-0 to shock everyone and fire themselves up the table. Wigan were solid from front to back, but things looked bleak as the fixture list made Wigan face Newcastle, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea in a row. Wigan beat Newcastle at the JJB 1-0 thanks to a Jason Roberts goal. Wigan then shook Spurs and Arsenal with spirited performances but no points in 2-1 and 3-2 defeats. Latics then faced Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea in a row. All away from home. They managed no points but alot of credit as they still remained in the top 10. There was talk of Wigan making Europe, it didn't happen as Wigan lost form towards the end of the season. But 51 points and a top-10 finish defied all expectations as Wigan proved everyone wrong to stay in the Premier League. Wiagn also made the Carling Cup final against all odds, and depite a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Man Utd in Cardiff. Wigan earned praise for a magical first season in the top flight. Wigan started the 2006-07 season with alot of hope, the loss of some key players meant Wigan didn't look as strong as the previous year. Larger than life midfielder Jimmy Bullard joined Fulham for £2,500,000,  Pascal Chimbonda handed in a transfer request on the final day of the 2006 season at Highbury. He got his wish as he joined Tottenham for £4,000,000, while Blackburn took Jason Roberts for just £3,000,000. Robert's replacement at Wigan saw Jewell splash out on a record signing former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey joined the club for £5,500,000 from Birmingham to lead the attack. Wigan also brought in Palace defenders Fitz Hall and Emmerson Boyce, along with Dutch playmaker Denny Landzaat and Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia on a seaon long loan. The season started as the last had finished, a bit of poor form was brushed aside as Wigan managed 4 wins in a row to taker them into mid-table. They managed to beat Man City 4-0, Fulham 1-0, Charlton 3-2 and Bolton 1-0. December saw a disasterous run that saw Wigan slide down the table and take them into a relegation dog fight. A run of 8 defeats put Wigan into the relegatuion frame, and they wouldn't get out of the dog fight until teh end of the season. It took them until April to end the run, a 1-0 home win against Portsmouth was then followed up with a trip to the Emirates . Despite leading throught Denny Landzaat's wonder strike. Bad luck, and poor refereeing decisions lead to a defeat which was hard to take. February ended with a win against Newcastle, with Ryan Taylor bagging the winner with a thumping free-kick. Wigan made it 2 wins in a row with a trip to Eastlands, January signing Caleb Folan scored the only goal to take Latics away from the relegation zone and looking up rather than down. This game proved to be Wigan's last victory until the final day. March got worse as the month went on, Henri Camara missed a sitter as Fulham earned a 0-0 draw. Wigan the travelled to Charlton in the search of a win in a relegation six pointer. Despite dominating the game Charlton snatched victory due to a dubious Darren Bent penalty. Wigan's poor form continued into April, with Paul Jewell tearing his hair out at a 3-1 derby defeat to Bolton, Wigan then gave away leads away to Aston Villa in a 1-1 draw, and Wigan threw away the lead 3 times as they eventually drew 3-3 at home to Tottenham. Wigan ended the month withe defeats to Liverpool, and West Ham in a relegation must win. Wigan lost 3-0 and had 2 games to save their season. The first of which was at home to Middlesbrough, who needed something to secure their own survival. A "two touch" free-kick from Stewart Downing set up Mark Viduka for the only goal of the game. Dropping Wigan into the bottom 3 for the first time since August 2005. Heading into the final game against Sheffield United, only a win would keep Wigan up. Sheffield United only needed a draw to gain survival, and if West Ham won then they would be safe, West Ham had to equal or better Wigan's result against Sheffield United to stay up. Wigan had to win, the game started explosively. With Wigan attacking and a penalty claim from Emile Heskey was turned down. Wigan opened the scoring on 14 minutes as Paul Scharner fired home from the edge of the area. The game was back in the balance 15 minutes later however, as Jon Stead dived in to equalise. News then reached Bramhall Lane that West Ham had scored the opener against Man Utd, further adding to the tension. Just before the half time whistle the game took another twist. Phil Jagielka's hand ball gave Wigan the chance to retake the lead from the spot. David Unsworth took it, against the club he left just 4 months previously, he fired home the most important goal of Wigan's season. The second half was unbearable, Danny Webber went clean through for Sheffield United, but he could only hit the post as Wigan's last ditch defending earnt them Premier League survival. West Ham held on at Old Trafford, which meant Sheffield United were relegated after just one year in the Premier League. Wigan had stayed up by the skin of their teeth, and the next day. Paul Jewell sensationally quit as Wigan boss due to "exaustion", Wigan appointed his assistant Chris Hutchings as his successor.