Wigan Athletic - what are they?

[leicesterarenotourivals]

Hello posters. Wigan Athletic, what are they? What size club are they? What league would you place them in? I ask this because its a very difficult question. Would people judge them on the last 10 years where they've played many seasons in the PL, won the FA Cup and played in Europe or the 30 odd years they were a non league club whilst barely reaching 4 figure crowds. People may say 'they had a good 10 years but they're still a non league club all day long', but what non league clubs have had more success than them? There's only 3 clubs in League 1 and League 2 put together who are historically more successful than them. Debate away (is there any Wigan fans on here yet who can offer their opinions?)

 

[Jockney]

They're a lower league club through and through and their post-Prem gates reflect that. Fair play, though, eight years in the top division and an FA Cup. I doubt they give a shit.

 

[Mr Elmo]

To be fair, I'm fairly sure they're still struggling for 4 figure crowds

 

[PuB]

Just some village rugby team aren't they?

 

[T.A]

They're no bigger than Bury, Rochdale or Oldham. They got very lucky and had a money man that took them to the promised land. Fair play to em they did well out of it. Only something us or Rochdale could dream about.

 

[SF_]

Only Sheff Utd, Bradford, Coventry and Barnsley are bigger than them at this level.

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

See, contrasting opinions already. Probably the hardest club to judge in football. Everything says they're tiny, but tiny clubs don't have a long run in the PL, win the FA Cup and play in Europe.

 

[markwwfc1992]

I'd class Wigan as smaller than Oldham, but bigger than Bury

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

Only Sheff Utd, Bradford, Coventry and Barnsley are bigger than them at this level.

What about Preston? Surely if you're excluding Millwall and Swindon, then you must be excluding Preston too.

 

[markwwfc1992]

What about Preston? Surely if you're excluding Millwall and Swindon, then you must be excluding Preston too.

Preston are in the Championship mate.

 

[SF_]

What about Preston? Surely if you're excluding Millwall and Swindon, then you must be excluding Preston too.

Wasn't aware we played at this level after that promotion stuff.

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

I'm aware, I didn't state Preston played in L1. I was implying, if you left Millwall and Swindon out, then would you class Wigan as a bigger club than Preston aswell?

 

[PUSBCCFC]

Quite a few clubs bigger, including Blackpool.

Some Wigan fan came onto our forum and said of how they will average over 1000 most weeks... Very unlikely.

 

[bantamigo]

Wigan's support is abysmal but their set-up and exposure is far better and bigger than most clubs in this league. Their ground and presumed funds are pretty impressive and there's a lot of people who follow their fortunes because they're an interesting case study. But they've got no fans. That's why it's difficult to place them.

 

[PUSBCCFC]

Wigan's support is abysmal but their set-up and exposure is far better and bigger than most clubs in this league. Their ground and presumed funds are pretty impressive and there's a lot of people who follow their fortunes because they're an interesting case study. But they've got no fans. That's why it's difficult to place them.

That is it for me. Some clubs won't ever be able to develop a big fan base, solely based on the fact the local area has either a small population, or has a number of competing sides. Wigan has both a small population and a ton of teams, including the biggest club in the country around the corner. That is why they would never really gain an average crowd higher than their highest in the Prem of around 20,000.

 

[Dan Phillips]

I didn't think Coventry was that close to Wigan.

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

I didn't think Coventry was that close to Wigan.

Again Daniel, don't be angry towards me because I outed you as the worst type of football fan there is - someone who supports there a local smaller team and a bigger, successful team on top. You're the scum of the Earth and if I had my way about it you wouldn't ever be allowed to go to a football match ever again. In my book, you're even worse than a gloryhunter from India who supports Man United. Don't you feel embarrassed that you have to support more than one club? I would.

'Who do you support mate?'

'Port Vale but I also like Chelsea too because they win a lot of trophies'

'Bit weird mate. Why can't you just support one club?'

'My dad used to play for Chelsea in the 40s that's why I support them not because they're a successful team or anything'

And, you're a WWE fan still? I thought that stuff was for teenagers who think it's not acting. Not surprised to see you're a racist too and support the UKIP party, the only person who should be thrown of the country is you, for acts against football, racism and still watching WWE when you're a grown man.

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

The WWE thing would be the most worrying aspect.

 

[markwwfc1992]

Lol, Dion's back...

 

[jbet]

We're bigger than Wigan. As our 50% of the clubs at this level.

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

We're bigger than Wigan. As our 50% of the clubs at this level.

Based on what? I'm not sticking up for Wigan (I hate seeing rugby towns become decent football teams) just wondering what your measure would be.

 

[Camborne Gills]

Quite a few clubs bigger, including Blackpool.

Some Wigan fan came onto our forum and said of how they will average over 1000 most weeks... Very unlikely.

At home perhaps

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

Wigan couldn't average a 1,000 away if they were in the top 4 of the Premier League all season. You just have to look at their home support in contrast to their away support - not enough people care enough about the club to go away which is a bit sad.

I can see them taking a <50 following this year if they're not near the top 2, considering they took 84 to Spurs for a Premier League match, I wouldn't say that number is beyond them.

 

[Chris]

Wigan are the team which will probably win the league .

 

[PrestonCha]

When Wigan last played at this level (2003), they averaged 7,288. Ok, they finished as Champions, but still...

They finished 10th in 2002, but still managed an average crowd of 5,850. The year before that it was 6,774 and the year before that 7,007. Not many supposed tinpot clubs manage that, at this level.

They've also just averaged 12,882 in a season that saw them relegated from the Championship.

Wigan are one of the big boys in this league. Deal with it, bitches.

 

[leicesterarenotourivals]

When Wigan last played at this level (2003), they averaged 7,288. Ok, they finished as Champions, but still...

They finished 10th in 2002, but still managed an average crowd of 5,850. The year before that it was 6,774 and the year before that 7,007. Not many supposed tinpot clubs manage that, at this level.

They've also just averaged 12,882 in a season that saw them relegated from the Championship.

Wigan are one of the big boys in this league. Deal with it, bitches.

Would you class Wigan as bigger than Preston?

 

[PrestonCha]

Would you class Wigan as bigger than Preston?

No.

I know you like a good old 'who's the bigger club' debate, so, ere's one for you Dion lad.....

Stoke or Coventry, who's got the biggest dick & shags the fittest birds with it?

 

[PrestonCha]

Bonus question: Coventry or Pompey?

Talk to me.

 

[Dan Phillips]

Again Daniel, don't be angry towards me because I outed you as the worst type of football fan there is - someone who supports there a local smaller team and a bigger, successful team on top. You're the scum of the Earth and if I had my way about it you wouldn't ever be allowed to go to a football match ever again. In my book, you're even worse than a gloryhunter from India who supports Man United. Don't you feel embarrassed that you have to support more than one club? I would.

'Who do you support mate?'

'Port Vale but I also like Chelsea too because they win a lot of trophies'

'Bit weird mate. Why can't you just support one club?'

'My dad used to play for Chelsea in the 40s that's why I support them not because they're a successful team or anything'

And, you're a WWE fan still? I thought that stuff was for teenagers who think it's not acting. Not surprised to see you're a racist too and support the UKIP party, the only person who should be thrown of the country is you, for acts against football, racism and still watching WWE when you're a grown man.

Fucking hilarious considering I've followed Chelsea for the same amount of time that I've followed Vale you absolute plank.

 

[Dan Phillips]

And UKIP? Considering I voted for another party in the election, that's an embarrassing attempt at fishing by you.