What makes Wigan Athletic Football Club stand out in the world of football? Founded in 1932, Wigan Athletic has a rich history filled with remarkable achievements and challenges. From their early days in the Cheshire League to their stunning FA Cup victory in 2013, the Latics have shown resilience and determination. They’ve played at two main grounds, Springfield Park and The DW Stadium, and have a passionate rivalry with Bolton Wanderers. Despite financial struggles, Wigan has experienced the highs of Premier League promotion and the lows of relegation. Their journey is a testament to the dedication of players, managers, and fans alike.
Founding and Early Years
Wigan Athletic Football Club, often called the Latics, has a history that stretches back over nine decades. Let's dive into the early days of this storied club.
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Founding and Early Years: Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, following the winding up of Wigan Borough, which had been a prominent football club in the town since 1902.
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First Competitive Match: The club's first competitive match was against Port Vale Reserves in the Cheshire League on August 27, 1932, which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
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Cheshire League Success: In their early years, Wigan Athletic enjoyed considerable success in the Cheshire League, winning three league titles consecutively from 1933 to 1935.
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FA Cup Debut: The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in the 1933-34 season, defeating Carlisle United 6-1 in the first round, a record victory for a non-League club over a League club.
Post-War Era and League Changes
The years following World War II were transformative for Wigan Athletic, marked by changes in leagues and rebuilding efforts.
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Lancashire Combination: After struggling financially and being relegated, Wigan Athletic joined the Lancashire Combination in 1947 and won the league in their first season.
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Post-War Era: Following World War II, the club adopted its current blue and white colours and began to rebuild its team. Despite some early successes, they struggled to maintain a competitive side and were replaced by Winsford United in 1947.
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Northern Premier League: In 1968, Wigan Athletic became a founder member of the Northern Premier League and won two league titles during their tenure.
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FA Trophy Final: The club reached the FA Trophy final in 1973 but lost 2-1 to Scarborough at Wembley Stadium.
Climbing the Football League
Wigan Athletic's persistence paid off as they climbed the ranks of English football, eventually reaching the Football League.
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Election to Football League: After 34 failed election attempts, Wigan Athletic was finally elected to the Football League in 1978.
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Promotion to Fourth Division: The club was promoted out of the Fourth Division in 1981-82 and won the Associate Members' Cup in 1985.
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Relegation and Rebuilding: Wigan Athletic was relegated back into the fourth tier in 1993 but won the Third Division title in 1996-97 and the Football League Trophy in 1999.
Premier League and FA Cup Glory
The pinnacle of Wigan Athletic's achievements came in the 2000s, with promotion to the Premier League and an unforgettable FA Cup victory.
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Promotion to Premier League: The club secured promotion out of the Championship in 2004-05 and reached the Premier League for the first time, spending eight years in the top flight.
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FA Cup Victory: Wigan Athletic won its first major honour by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the 2013 FA Cup Final, the same year they were relegated from the Premier League.
Stadiums and Rivalries
Wigan Athletic's journey has been accompanied by changes in their home grounds and fierce rivalries.
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Grounds: The club has played at two main grounds: Springfield Park (1932-1999) and The DW Stadium (1999-present).
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Capacity: The current stadium, The DW Stadium, has a capacity of 25,138 seats.
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Derby Rivalry: Wigan Athletic regards Bolton Wanderers as its primary derby rival.
Club Colours and Records
The club's identity is marked by its distinctive colours and notable player records.
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Colours: The club's colours are blue and white stripes, although all-blue shirts have been common throughout its history.
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Player Records: Andy Liddell holds the record for most goals in the League with 70 goals between 1998 and 2004.
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Seasonal Highs: Graeme Jones scored a club record 31 league goals in the 1996-97 season, helping the team win the Third Division title.
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Premier League Goals: Hugo Rodallega is the club's top scorer in the Premier League with 24 goals between 2009 and 2012.
Memorable Moments and Milestones
From record attendances to remarkable player achievements, Wigan Athletic has had many memorable moments.
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Highest Attendance: The highest attendance at Springfield Park was 27,526 for an FA Cup match against Hereford United in 1953.
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Youngest Player: Jensen Weir became the youngest player to appear for Wigan Athletic at the age of 15 years and 10 months in 2017.
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Oldest Player: Dave Beasant holds the record for the oldest player to appear for the club at 43 years and 235 days in 2002.
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Most League Appearances: Kevin Langley made 317 League appearances for Wigan Athletic between 1981 and 1986 and 1990 and 1994.
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Consecutive Appearances: Jimmy Bullard holds the record for most consecutive League appearances with 123 games between January 2003 and December 2005.
Transfer Fees and Managerial Changes
Financial dealings and managerial decisions have also played a significant role in shaping the club's history.
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Transfer Fees: The highest transfer fee paid by Wigan Athletic was £7 million for Charles N'Zogbia in February 2009.
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Highest Transfer Fee Received: The highest transfer fee received was £16 million for Antonio Valencia in June 2009.
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Managerial Changes: Dave Whelan purchased the club in February 1995 and appointed John Deehan as manager, who took the team within two points of a play-off place in his first season.
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The Three Amigos: Whelan's ambitious plan to take Wigan Athletic into the Premier League included signing three Spaniards: Roberto Martínez, Isidro Díaz, and Jesus Seba, known as the Three Amigos.
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Financial Challenges: Despite achieving promotion to the Premier League and winning the FA Cup, Wigan Athletic has faced significant financial difficulties, leading to relegation and fluctuations between the EFL Championship and League One.
Wigan Athletic's Remarkable Journey
Wigan Athletic's history is a rollercoaster of triumphs and challenges. Founded in 1932, the club quickly made a name in the Cheshire League, winning three consecutive titles. Their FA Cup debut in 1933-34 saw them thrash Carlisle United 6-1, a record for a non-League team. After years of struggle, they finally joined the Football League in 1978. The pinnacle came in 2013 when they won the FA Cup against Manchester City, though they faced relegation the same year. The DW Stadium has been their home since 1999, with a capacity of 25,138. Financial ups and downs have seen them fluctuate between leagues, but their resilience is undeniable. From early successes to Premier League glory, Wigan Athletic's story is one of determination and passion. Their journey continues, fueled by the unwavering support of their fans.
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