Wigan Athletic ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Foundation:1932
Address:Robin Park, Newtown, Wigan, Lancashire, WN5 0UZ
Telephone:01942 774000
Fax:01942 494654
E-Mail:customerservices@premiumtv.co.uk
Web Site:http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk
Chairman:David WHELAN

History
Wigan Athletic were the surprise package of 2005-06, enjoying a superb first season in the Premiership when they finished 10th and reached the League (Carling) Cup final. The trick for much-admired manager Paul Jewell now is to emulate that success, without the element of surprise. Early signs are that Wigan's second season in the top-flight will prove tougher than their first, a not uncommon syndrome; but Latics fan still pinch themselves to recall that they have only been a League club for 28 years, and only an upwardly mobile one since Dave Whelan bought them in 1995. Whelan's own playing career was effectively ended when he suffered a broken leg playing for Blackburn Rovers against Wolves in the 1960 FA Cup final. He set about channeling his considerable energies into retailing, notably through the JJB Sports chain which made him a multi-millionaire. His involvement with Wigan has transformed the club's fortunes. They have moved from the outdated Springfield Park to the JJB Stadium in Robin Park (1999), and progressed from level four to the top flight in ten eventful seasons - the last five of them under Jewell's shrewd management. Wigan are a relatively new football club. When Wigan Borough resigned from the Football League in 1931, a public meeting was called in the town in May 1932 at which a new football club, Wigan Athletic, was founded. The hope was that the new club would be able to carry on in the Football League. With this in mind they bought Springfield Park, but it was to be another 46 years before they could gain admission to the League. That came in 1978 when they were elected to the old Division Four. It took them a little longer, but they emulated Wimbledon - elected to the League a year earlier - in going from non-league to Premier League. The challenge now is to onsolidate their status as a top-flight club.

Team Trophies
Football League: Championship: (Runners-up: 2004-05). Division Two: Champions: 2002-03. Division Three: Champions: 1996-97. Division Four: (Promoted - 3rd - 1981-82). Football League Cup: (Runners-up: 2006).