View Full Version : Question about Wigan
Elwood
18 May 2005, 12:30 AM
How did they do it?
Looking at historical stats, their attendance for 2001/2002 (according to soccernet) was an average of 5,771 in League One. For this past season, it was 11,562 in the Championship. They weren't even a League team until 1978. And just before getting League status, they seemed to have quite a few sub-1000 attended home matches.
Since they don't seem overly popular, and don't have a long history of league success, how did they gain two promotions in four years to get to the top level? Owners with deep pockets?
How did they do it?
Looking at historical stats, their attendance for 2001/2002 (according to soccernet) was an average of 5,771 in League One. For this past season, it was 11,562 in the Championship. They weren't even a League team until 1978. And just before getting League status, they seemed to have quite a few sub-1000 attended home matches.
Since they don't seem overly popular, and don't have a long history of league success, how did they gain two promotions in four years to get to the top level? Owners with deep pockets?
That's pretty much it. They're bankrolled by Dave Whelan, owner of JJB Sports. Having said that, they have a lot of heritage prior to their election to the Football League. They were always one of the best supported non-league teams, and typically got very large crowds for cup games against Football League teams.
Wigan is a town where Rugby League has traditionally been the dominant spectator sport. In a way, this gives them potential in terms of spectators now that they've reached the top flight. I fully expect to play to capacity or near capacity crowds (25k) next season.
SamWAFC
18 May 2005, 07:45 AM
We've got promotion due to having a wise manager and a rich chairman.
Btw, it's actually 2 promotions in 3 years ;) :)
Now it's time to win the premiership!!!!
imasyko
18 May 2005, 09:11 AM
We've got promotion due to having a wise manager and a rich chairman.
Btw, it's actually 2 promotions in 3 years ;) :)
Now it's time to win the premiership!!!!
\
So success in English football is down to having an owner who is willing to lose gobs of money? ;^) Uh-oh, ManU.
Boro_lad
18 May 2005, 10:08 AM
Success is down to building up a good group of players with a clear goal in sight. Wigan did that and deserve to be where they have got to.
SamWAFC
18 May 2005, 10:34 AM
Success is down to building up a good group of players with a clear goal in sight. Wigan did that and deserve to be where they have got to.
Exactly :)
And our chairman isn't losing gobs of money in the long run imasyko... if we keep our prem status, TV revenue will help recoup some, and I'm sure our chairman will get a lot of free advertising as he'll have JJB plastered everywhere!
ranny fash
18 May 2005, 08:34 PM
biatches, is there video footage on this website?
Elwood
18 May 2005, 08:40 PM
I just wanted to thank you guys for the answers.
Any idea if they'll be exciting to watch next season, vs some of the more established mid-table teams? Or are they destined to be a relegation battler?
The team I really wanted to watch next season (at least occasionally), sadly, fell 2 points short of them, and had a bad day today. Hoping Preston can make it through now.
OrlandoSPUR
18 May 2005, 10:15 PM
IMO Wigan will not struggle initially, I think they will finish around 12th, but will do an Ipswich and will go down the next season. If you remember when Ipswich went to 5th in 00/01 the season they were promoted, but the next season went down. I feel that is what Wigan will do.
Rick B
24 May 2005, 07:04 PM
We've got promotion due to having a wise manager and a rich chairman.
Btw, it's actually 2 promotions in 3 years ;) :)
Now it's time to win the premiership!!!!
I wish you bloody hadn't, now if Preston win the play off final it means three Northern teams go up with 3 southern teams going down. Thats a big difference to the away fan...... :(
Prenn
25 May 2005, 05:11 AM
I wish you bloody hadn't, now if Preston win the play off final it means three Northern teams go up with 3 southern teams going down. Thats a big difference to the away fan...... :(
It's really good for the away fan :D
Boro_lad
26 May 2005, 02:25 PM
Indeed!
Rick B
26 May 2005, 02:29 PM
(Rick whispers under his breath) *Northern bloody monkey's*
Eddie26
27 May 2005, 03:18 AM
(Rick whispers under his breath) *Northern bloody monkey's*
I heard that.
SamWAFC
27 May 2005, 08:06 AM
It's really good for the away fan :D
:cool: lol - I'm already looking forward to the massive trip to the Reebok... could possibly take over 15 minutes!!
Prenn
27 May 2005, 10:18 AM
:cool: lol - I'm already looking forward to the massive trip to the Reebok... could possibly take over 15 minutes!!
Walking are we? ;)
It'll be good to have a ground closer to us than Old Trafford.
batch
27 May 2005, 06:57 PM
\
So success in English football is down to having an owner who is willing to lose gobs of money? ;^) Uh-oh, ManU.
Not really a case of losing lots of money, rather the Chairman deciding how the money is taken off him. If he wasnt investing it in his home town club then the tax man would be taking it off him anyway. And as Mr Whelan has said for years - he doesnt want to be the richest man in the graveyard.
Colin Bell the King
28 May 2005, 08:02 AM
If attendances were so low its because thier own ground was a dump.
I have fond memories of Wigan!
' Shaun Goater Superstar
How many goals has he scored so far?
One two or maybe three
but he scored with his tit and we're at wemberly. :D'