Wigan Athletic Far Away Fans - avantsweater

Welcome to Vital Latics feature 'Far Away Fans` and today we are talking to Adam Leier, better known to Vital Wigan regulars and also Wiganer.net regulars as avantsweater

I met Adam at the JJB on Sunday before the Villa game, see photo, and one thing that you notice immediately is that there is no Wigan accent, where you from?

I'm originally from Toronto in Canada, moved to Los Angeles when I was 7 with my family and now I live in New York where I went to university and work now!

My parents moved to London two years ago for work so I catch games when I come over for visits.



Avantsweater outside the JJB prior to the Villa game


Fascinating, so you`ve moved around a fair bit, what intrigues me is why you became a football fan coming from the land of Ice Hockey and why the Latics, is there a story there?

There's not much of one really, my roommate is a Gooner and was watching Match of the Day on his computer.

I only really followed the Blue Jays in Toronto before(Baseball). But anyways he was watching a game early on in the 05/06 season and I think I saw Jimmy Bullard do something nutty and there was like a beam of light telling me to follow Wigan!

Since then I've been a Latics fanatic!

EVERY single person I meet though first goes WIGAN?! WHY?? What a question! How can you not???


So avantsweater, why that particular user name?

No reason really, I like futuristic sweaters I guess!


You have your own web site and yes, there is a link on vital to it, what was the inspiration behind creating the site, are you a media buff?

Nope, mostly selfish reasons, I was just tired of no one to sing Wigan songs with at the pub I go to when I watch games. Football chants don't go over very well if only one person is chanting.


I know you have travelled to the UK to watch the Latics but which was your first game and was it worth the effort as I know from experience that the Latics have a habit of disappointing?

The first one I saw was Spurs away in 06/07 We went up 1-0 with an Henri Camara rocket, but then lost 3-1! I think it was one of Berbatov's first goals for Spurs.

I still haven't seen a Latics victory!

Some draws though. Including the 1-1 at Chelsea last season which was almost as good as a win.


What is your proudest moment as a Latics fan?

Hard to say but probably representing the team at the very end of 06/07. I had my hair dyed blue and white in stripes. I thought I was going to have a heart attack during that match! The bartender bought me a shot a jagermeister after. That helped a bit. (Photo below.)



avantsweater outside Nevada Smiths New York, prior to the Sheffield United game


Who is your favourite all time Latics player?

I have to confess I was a big Chimbonda fan, even with the whole betrayal. He was amazing in his year here and I think I finally have gotten over the whole acrimony thing. Bullard is neck and neck though.

Pick an all time Latics 11 and manager.

Well since I am Johnny Bandwagoner I will do it since I have been watching:

Kirkland
Chimbonda Boyce DeZeeuw Baines
Valencia Bullard Palacios McCulloch
Roberts Camara

Manager: PJ


Where do you see us going in the future and what are your realistic hopes for the club?

I honestly think the sky is the limit.

If you look at a club like Villarreal in Spain, they were only admitted to La Liga about 10 years ago and now they are regular champions leaguers and play nice football, all with 'no support, no history, etc' I think we should be looking at their example as one to follow.

This year we have been getting decent press for once and have the league's hottest commodity in Zaki. It's a big change from even a year ago. We are almost getting some respect, not from referees of course though!


Will you be back at the JJB this season?

I hope so!

I always try to do one in the fall and one in the spring. Usually when there's a midweek game. If we get to Wembley in the carling cup or FA cup I might have to come over for that though no matter what!


Thanks for the interview avantsweater and have a safe journey home

No problem!

Check out avantsweater`s website click here


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