Once a Latic always a Latic: Why I support Wigan Athletic
When you come across any Latics supporter, the odds are they will do everything they can to mention the club’s 2013 FA Cup campaign, in which they reached the final against Premier League giants Manchester City, and played to a nail biting 1–0 victory.
It was goalless at 87 minutes and it looked like it was heading to extra time — something no fan can bear. City were relentless in their attacks like a starving hound desperate for a bite. Shooting and shooting with accurate aggression but the brilliant Joel Robles was keeping his cool and blocking them out. Chances were not wasted, yet a break that gave Wigan a number of corners on their last counter attack looked like the last lifeline they would get after a star performance throughout the game. Holding their own thanks to the international talent this northern town was lucky to have representing them. With players such as Scharner from Austria; Espinoza from Honduras; Kone from Ivory Coast; Gomez from Spain; captain Boyce from Barbados; as well as a number of Scottish internationals with Maloney and McArthur. And of course not to forget the man of the match — Callum Mcmanaman.
Corners were kicked over and over — until Shaun Maloney curved the ball from the right post into the box, with Ben Watson, totally unmarked, heading the ball over Joe Hart’s head and into the net. GOAL!
It was a joyous occasion led by Roberto Martinez and Dave Whelan, and deservedly put the team in the category of ‘Giant Killers’. To any fan that was watching including myself, the fact we made it to Wembley was a triumph in itself. A rare opportunity to display determination and teamwork to the whole country and footballing world in one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments. A massive achievement for this small club who were pitted as the underdogs — facing relegation in the league and at a financial disadvantage compared to most of their competition. It was at this moment that the club’s mantra was once again demonstrated to the extreme: “Defying the odds. It’s in our DNA”.
Though this moment instilled immense pride in me at age 15, it is only one of many reasons that explain why I am a supporter of Wigan Athletic.
To begin, I’ve been watching Wigan play ever since I was 9 months old — the first time being when my dad took me to an away game at Bournemouth in which we were practically the only away fans. Although we may have lost the game 1–0, Wigan gained a new devotee.
Despite living over 200 hundred miles away from the Greater Manchester Town; twice a year I go up to visit my grandparents, and catch the Boxing day and Easter home games if they are on. I can remember watching games at the JJB in the days of Roberts, Taylor, and Pollitt under Paul Jewell against Charlton, Bolton, and Sheffield when they were in the Premier League (I still have the tickets to prove it). I’ve seen us lose dismally to Man United and Arsenal, draw a thrilling 1–1 game to Chelsea, and demolish Newcastle and Sunderland 3–0. The last game I saw was a 1–1 draw against Derby on Boxing day 2019.
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How I wish to go back. It feels great when you approach the floodlit DW Stadium amongst the streams of bustling supporters. Entering the turnstile in my newly gifted Latics jersey and walking up the concrete steps past the legacy posters and the pie serving cafeterias. To sit on those plastic seats in the bitter cold with your hat and gloves. Surrounded by packed rows of fans who collectively sing “I’m a Believer” as the players run onto the pitch. Embedded in a positive spirit that resonates in the air and elevates the team no matter the score. Because the DW is relatively intimate — seating no less than 25,000, you never feel too far away from the action. Dad and I sit in the centre of the Boston Stand; 10 rows up from the pitch, where you can hear the ball scuffs and players shouting to each other as they run down the line. Not to forget what would a game be without the loud rhythmic drumming from the very back that provides a beat for all the supporters to chant to.
For a small team overshadowed by their larger neighbours such as Man City and United, Liverpool and Leeds, Wigan has a knack for drawing talent from around the world. I’m thinking of the outstanding Amr Zaki and Al‑Habsi. The marvelous duo of Jean-beausejour and Figueroa. The ‘Super Mario’ Melchiot to our very own Jedi Anthonee Robinson. To any incoming player that might be reading, you should know that the club has the highest interest in growing your strengths and making you the best you can be. Thanks to the self-reliant infrastructure and the excellent management and coaching staff that run it, the club has a history of enhancing skillful players into icons of the game. I’d be remiss not to mention Will Griggs and the goal blazing time he had. Wigan was the club that shone the brightest light on the beloved Jimmy Bullard and a number of other England internationals. Emile Heskey, Leighton Baines, Scott Carson, and Harry Maguire did a stint. Reece James excelled in the 2018–19 season when he was on loan from Chelsea. It’s likely that the most well known players in English football have an association in their career with Wigan. It doesn’t matter where you come from, the team will find you. Even the supporters are as diverse as the players, with fan groups popping up around the world. From New York to Indonesia. The Latics family is constantly growing.
What I love most about supporting Wigan is that they play football for the sake of football. They have their ups and downs. But it’s the comebacks that make them so unique. When they are needed most, Wigan invariably fight on with determination to earn those points. Putting in the work while entertaining the fans. They have never lost their grass-roots origin. No multi-million pound contracts or deals. Just pure football to compete and climb as high as possible. They are totally unpredictable and no match is easy to bet on, which makes the experience of watching them all the more exhilarating. Placing you on a passionate journey of wonder goals, suspenseful wins, tense battles, as well as breathtaking fights for survival; always maintaining a focused attitude while openly playing with ambitious long-term vision to meet new challenges. The club’s future has always depended on it, thus earning a reputation for remaining humble no matter the results. Taking it game by game and displaying sportsmanship to both team mates and rivals. Everything you’d want a team to possess they have. Wearing the blue and white jersey with that distinct tree and crown taking pride of place above the heart.
Defeats, for a true fan, will never diminish how much you love your team. You can get frustrated and have opinions for sure, although in the end you have to trust that the right decisions will save the club, and this has been a reliable trait time and time again. Rarely do they make the headlines but when they do, it’s genuinely pleasing to see it’s because of their knack for causing unexpected upset and taking commentators aback with an unleashing of record breaking performances. Stacking up high scoring games that have made English football history (I’m thinking in particular of the recent 2019/20 8–0 thrashing of Hull or the 7–0 thumper at Oxford in 2017) or the times when we have put on great escapes from relegation to riding a high of wins in the fight for promotion. The debut experience on the European stage playing in the Europa League or winning the League One title twice within four years. To experience those pivotal heart racing moments is a joy that only football can provide. You just can’t take your eye off them. Including of course the first-rate academy in its competition successes and development squads in producing players that go on to garner interest from competing clubs around the country and contribute to raising the standards of the game. Playing an important role in cementing the club’s cult status.
The team’s behaviour off pitch has without exception been nothing short of admirable. Players being easy to approach and holding a respectful relationship with fans, plus not to forget the charity work they undertake speaks volumes to their love and care for the community. They are an inspiration and a standard for any club to aspire to. Again the key to Wigan’s appeal is that they never lose connection with the town they represent. To support Wigan isn’t just about the blood rush you get from watching the game; experiencing the high tempo passes and close shaves, but the sense of union that comes hand in hand between player and fan. Even in the most daunting of times, you can guarantee the supporters will come together with the committed goal of lifting up the club so it sees brighter days again. Not many clubs can provide testament to this level of emotional commitment and comradery.
It’s safe to say that the troubles of 2020 are all behind us — a stain easily wiped thanks to the supporters and their amazing and generous response to raise money and keep the team alive, along with the hugely generous donations of players past and present. Evidence that once you become a Latic, you will always be a Latic.
Up the Tics!
