League 1 General Chat Thread

[T.A]

It’s not been great for North-West clubs in the past decade. I feel for Wigan fans but it does seem jarring that they seem to get away with this every other year. We got kicked out of the league because we couldn’t show that we could last a season on our own without the EFL payments. I bet if you asked Wigan that question now they’d get the same response as what we gave them. None.

 

[gainsparkshrew]

Quite simply there are too many clubs in a small area not helped by having 5 PL clubs in the area as well.
Over recent years the majority of the clubs who have ended up in trouble have come from the region... chasing the dream...latest nutjobs Wigan and Fleetwood

 

[T.A]

Quite simply there are too many clubs in a small area not helped by having 5 PL clubs in the area as well.
Over recent years the majority of the clubs who have ended up in trouble have come from the region... chasing the dream...latest nutjobs Wigan and Fleetwood

Wigan have struggled since Dave gave up the reigns. They were extremely lucky that they found someone to back them and wasn’t bothered about getting anything back. He joined when they were in the bottom division with a ground that would make most 4th division grounds blush. They’ve lived the dream but still average about 8-10k in the championship. They need to find an owner that will accept who they are and not chase the dream to get back in the championship.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

I've always hated Wigan since attending this match;

Football: Five sent off as Rovers go wild at Wigan

Five players - four from Bristol Rovers - were sent off in an amazing Second Division match with Wigan at Springfield Park, last night which the home side won 3-0.

www.independent.co.uk

We have stagnated since, while they have moved to a new stadium and enjoyed the premier league and cup finals... so sod em

 

[shoddycollins]

Wigan should be thrown out of the whole football league.

That would be a good example set.

the fact that was done with Bury just a few years ago suggests that throwing teams out of the league doesn't set any kind of example.

The reason is the same as the reason why all these points deductions and other punishments levied at clubs over the years hasn't stopped them from being mismanaged. The people running them and benefitting from the dodgy deals don't give a flying Fuchs about the club they run getting expelled, like with Bury and Luton before them, the people who run these clubs just want to make money and expulsion might bring a halt to their gravy train but they expect that anyway, they can just walk away, still with their ill-gotten gains and face no consequences while the fans and staff are left having to rebuild from the ground up.

 

[kieran_vale]

One thing of note regards Wigan if they’re not paid by next Friday their players will be able to tear up their contracts and move elsewhere. Mentioned by Alan Nixon today.

 

[Muzzle]

F**k em, apparently they are hard done by and Bury even got more help from the EFL then they have....deluded they are, the rugby lot can't wait for them to go bang

 

[SF_]

One thing of note regards Wigan if they’re not paid by next Friday their players will be able to tear up their contracts and move elsewhere. Mentioned by Alan Nixon today.

Never thought I'd say this after his loan spell with us years ago, but based on his goal return and what I saw last season, I'd happily take Will Keane off their hands on a free.

That Aalsgaard looks a good prospect too.

We took their training ground last time, a few players won't hurt.

 

[Carver]

F**k em, apparently they are hard done by and Bury even got more help from the EFL then they have....deluded they are, the rugby lot can't wait for them to go bang

Ohh you can't say that or Barrieowl will start crying and come to the defense of his new favourite club.

 

[The Terminator]

Suprised more hasn't been spoken abaout Reading - they've still not even got a manager in place right now!

 

[kieran_vale]

I think they’re just one of those clubs you forget are there at times. Think had seen they’d spoken to Wilder but given the length of time it would seem he’s basically using it as leverage for something better elsewhere.

 

[valefan16]

I think they’re just one of those clubs you forget are there at times. Think had seen they’d spoken to Wilder but given the length of time it would seem he’s basically using it as leverage for something better elsewhere.

They are the team I always forget on the doing the 72/92 Sporcle things! Probably largely down to not crossing paths for a long time.

Don't seem to hear much on them though.

 

[LordJord]

I think they’re just one of those clubs you forget are there at times. Think had seen they’d spoken to Wilder but given the length of time it would seem he’s basically using it as leverage for something better elsewhere.

I dont get that from move from Wilder's perspective. Feel like the Watford job was a bit of a free hit after Middlesbrough, but after his stock went up so much at Sheffield United (and us) I think he needs to be more picky about who his next club to ensure his reputation does not fall too much. I am not clued up on Reading's financial situation but are they not they struggling for cash a bit also?

 

[SF_]

They'd do well to go down the up & coming coach route, like Woodgate & McKenna. Wilder joining a L1 club seems unlikely.

They've always got a good academy, with some decent under 24 players in the squad right now. So dropping down a level and rebuilding could be good for them long-term.

I wouldn't rule them out being in the promotion mix. Andy Carroll should score for fun down here

 

[White horse]

Wigan fans gave their owners an ultimatum to put £10 million in to the club by last Friday or sell up. He decided to sell up, now they have an HMRC winding up petition against them and the players haven't been paid again. Not sure he would have paid them anyway but the fans made sure he didn't by that demand. They need a credible buyer very soon.

 

[Stocky]

Wigan linked with being bought out by a local billionaire.

What's the betting they just start spending again?

 

[Carver]

Wigan linked with being bought out by a local billionaire.

What's the betting they just start spending again?

There just happens to be a local billionaire in Wigan?

 

[Stocky]

Yeah, I imagine one concern would be he's more involved with the rugby and there's always been a bit of a stand off between the football club and the rugby club with them both in the same stadium. Whelan owned both but Athletic took priority which Wigan Warriors fans begrudged, the shoe could be on the other foot here but "beggars can't be choosers" springs to mind.

Wigan has always been a rugby town from my time working up there.

 

[Super_horns]

Wigan fans gave their owners an ultimatum to put £10 million in to the club by last Friday or sell up. He decided to sell up, now they have an HMRC winding up petition against them and the players haven't been paid again. Not sure he would have paid them anyway but the fans made sure he didn't by that demand. They need a credible buyer very soon.

Not looking good for them is it but always seems to be a last minute recuse package.

Or are they the next Bury ?

 

[Muzzle]

There just happens to be a local billionaire in Wigan?

I think it is one of the guys who own the Ruby Club.....who despise the football club, so I reckon if it is them, they just want the groung

 

[White horse]

I think it is one of the guys who own the Ruby Club.....who despise the football club, so I reckon if it is them, they just want the groung

The Ruby club , haha , if it is the Wetherspoon curry man, boot them out out and promote Stockport and Chesterfield ,

 

[LancashireTrotters]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1668737754467844098

Oh no… anyway.

I can’t see them challenging for promotion either way, but a few point deductions thrown their way can only be a positive. Good for those who will be fighting to stay up too.

 

[91SPP]

Not first team news, but we have made our first real move in the rebuild of our academy. We've hired Matt Hale who has been Southampton's Academy Director for the past decade. I was disappointed when it was announced Darren Wassall would be leaving after 15 years - a man who had overseen us become one of the first category one academies outside of the Premier League.

Mel Morris had high aspirations for the academy and put in a lot of investment and generally really looked after the youth teams in terms of provisions and coaching - our U18s beat Arsenal 5-2 to win the Premier League in 19/20 which now seems a lifetime ago. However, it was one of the areas hit hardest by his actions of pulling the plug.

It will be difficult to remember everyone, but due to cut backs we've lost:
Dylan Williams - Chelsea
Liam Delap - Man City
Kaide Gordon - Liverpool
Lee Buchanan - Werder Breman
Jayden Bogle - Sheffield United
Max Lowe - Sheffield United
Archie Brown - Laussane-Sport
Morgan Whittaker - Swansea
Festy Ebosele - Udinese
Malcolm Ebiowei - Crystal Palace
Luke Plange - Crystal Palace
Omari Kellyman - Aston Villa

We've also lost a ton of our U13/U14/U15/U16 players too - I think Man Utd took 4 of our best U15 players for £500k when we were in administration.

It's led to a pretty sorry state, especially for our U21 side, who had gone from finishing top 6 in division 1 in 20/21 to then being relegated and then finishing bottom of the second division with just a single point. The U18s did pick up under Jake Buxton in the second half of the season and there is some optimism there, but it's a huge rebuild to get it back to what it once was, not even that long ago.

 

[BarrieOwl]

Not first team news, but we have made our first real move in the rebuild of our academy. We've hired Matt Hale who has been Southampton's Academy Director for the past decade. I was disappointed when it was announced Darren Wassall would be leaving after 15 years - a man who had overseen us become one of the first category one academies outside of the Premier League.

Mel Morris had high aspirations for the academy and put in a lot of investment and generally really looked after the youth teams in terms of provisions and coaching - our U18s beat Arsenal 5-2 to win the Premier League in 19/20 which now seems a lifetime ago. However, it was one of the areas hit hardest by his actions of pulling the plug.

It will be difficult to remember everyone, but due to cut backs we've lost:
Dylan Williams - Chelsea
Liam Delap - Man City
Kaide Gordon - Liverpool
Lee Buchanan - Werder Breman
Jayden Bogle - Sheffield United
Max Lowe - Sheffield United
Archie Brown - Laussane-Sport
Morgan Whittaker - Swansea
Festy Ebosele - Udinese
Malcolm Ebiowei - Crystal Palace
Luke Plange - Crystal Palace
Omari Kellyman - Aston Villa

We've also lost a ton of our U13/U14/U15/U16 players too - I think Man Utd took 4 of our best U15 players for £500k when we were in administration.

It's led to a pretty sorry state, especially for our U21 side, who had gone from finishing top 6 in division 1 in 20/21 to then being relegated and then finishing bottom of the second division with just a single point. The U18s did pick up under Jake Buxton in the second half of the season and there is some optimism there, but it's a huge rebuild to get it back to what it once was, not even that long ago.

By lost you mean sold. some went for fees, perhaps if you weren't cheating c*** you wouldn't have had to sell em

 

[bigfatron]

When we dropped out of the FL in 2005 our entire youth cohort (one of the best in the bottom two divisions) became free agents and were pillaged, mostly by Southend - it took us many, many years to recover.

In the last few years, now our youth scheme is ion good nick again, we've also lost numerous of our most promising U15/U16s to Category One clubs (most commonly Chelsea) for the statutory £40-50k - they've pretty much all disappeared without trace, which is sad...

I'm full of admiration for how Exeter keep their good youngsters, give them decent game time, and sell them on - an excellent model for us to aspire to.

 

[Luke Imp]

When we dropped out of the FL in 2005 our entire youth cohort (one of the best in the bottom two divisions) became free agents and were pillaged, mostly by Southend - it took us many, many years to recover.

In the last few years, now our youth scheme is ion good nick again, we've also lost numerous of our most promising U15/U16s to Category One clubs (most commonly Chelsea) for the statutory £40-50k - they've pretty much all disappeared without trace, which is sad...

I'm full of admiration for how Exeter keep their good youngsters, give them decent game time, and sell them on - an excellent model for us to aspire to.

We're the same with ours to Villa, Forest, Leicester etc (in fact Leicester, to their credit, actually paid us for a youngster when we were in the NL when we weren't entitled to anything because they can be taken for free when you're down there (but that's another conversation!)).

 

[Luke Imp]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1668737754467844098

Oh no… anyway.

I can’t see them challenging for promotion either way, but a few point deductions thrown their way can only be a positive. Good for those who will be fighting to stay up too.

Crikey, what on earth is L1 turning into.

 

[shoddycollins]

Quite simply there are too many clubs in a small area not helped by having 5 PL clubs in the area as well.
Over recent years the majority of the clubs who have ended up in trouble have come from the region... chasing the dream...latest nutjobs Wigan and Fleetwood

It goes back to the days when football was a working-class pastime and the majority of clubs were from either the North West or the Midlands. Now football is big business it does seem like those clubs don't have the right catchment to be sustainable. Wigan are a different thing though since they didn't even become a league club until the 70s. Explains why so many of the clubs who have found themselves in dire situations have been from that area though.

 

[White horse]

Wigan got a new owner who has paid all the debts and again they come out of it debt free as the old owners converted the money put into them to equity, told you they were a spawny club

 

[Super_horns]

Unless those owners end up being dodgy too !