Home Support on The Increase, Ignore The BBC

What ever garbage that very wooden football show Match of the Day (1 or 2) spouts, well frankly don`t believe or at least don`t take it on face value.

On Sunday evening at around 10:50 pm on BBC 2 Motd 2 featured highlights from the Wigan Athletic Vs Fulham 1-1 draw that had taken place that afternoon, now prior to the highlights being shown, some director/editor/producer, Phil Sibson I believe his name is, decided it would be appropriate to have a little fun at the expense of Wigan by making the town appear to be Slumville in comparison to a very cosmopolitan Rome, why he decided to do this is best known to him.

Before the highlights started mention was made to the fact that there was a very poor attendance at the DW Stadium, during the highlights reference was made to the very poor attendance at the DW Stadium and at the end of the highlights reference was again given to the very poor attendance, shots were shown of the crowd, empty seats and a sparsely populated stand.

The commentator didn`t mention that the empty stand was the away end and that Wigan Athletic are working extremely hard to increase their home support at the DW Stadium and it is working, home support is on the increase and the club are to be congratulated for their efforts not ridiculed by the bullying BBC.

Wigan Athletic today released an official club statement, here is an excerpt:

Wigan Athletic Football Club would like to put on record its thanks to the supporters who attended the DW Stadium for the game versus Fulham at the weekend.

The home support has increased for every single game this season with around 80% of the home seating being utilised for the Fulham game, a game the detractors may suggest is an un-popular one. To be going head to head with the pre-eminent game in the country on television (Chelsea versus Manchester United) and on the back of a negative result the previous weekend, the support was extremely positive. Couple this with the current financial climate and the change of date to accommodate the visitors, then the Club is very thankful to everyone who came along to the game.


The home support at the Fulham game was the fifth highest for 18 months. Only the visits of Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester United attracted higher levels of home support last season.

Hopefully what was witnessed versus Fulham is a sign of things to come too with some great attacking and possession play from the team that will assist in the Club's drive to increase attendances.

Latics Commercial Director Paul Hunt was obviously delighted with the attendance from the home supporters and he said: 'It was a great effort by the fans with so many taking up the various offers. The real plus point was that supporters are supporting the Club in pushing attendance with so many new, and in particular, young faces at the game. It bodes well for the future.'

The man that matters the most down at the DW Stadium, boss Roberto Martinez knows how far the club has come, when he first arrived back in 1995 the Latics were lucky to get 2,000 home fans through the turnstiles now with gates approaching 20,000 every week Roberto knows that praise is deserved and not ridicule.

Speaking with pride the gaffer says: 'You should be proud of yourselves for the support you are giving to the team and it may be a cliché but you really made a big difference. I for one am looking forward to the next home game versus Sunderland for another great performance from our supporters - thanks again.'

Two fingers to Match of the Day - What a disgrace






Fans Forum Ticket Competition

Vital Latics have two tickets on offer for the up and coming Wigan Athletic fans forum to be held at the DW Stadium in the DW Fitness Lounge located in the South Stand on Tuesday 17th November 7pm kick-off.

The fans forum will give supporters the opportunity to meet and question manager Roberto Martinez; also there is a hotpot supper included, now that does make the mouth water.

Full details of the event are on the official site and can be viewed by clicking here

The event has always proved very popular in the past so if you want to be the lucky winner of two tickets, supplied by Wigan Athletic, then answer the following question and enter via link provided, closing date 10th November 5 pm.

Who is Roberto`s assistant manager:
a) Graeme Jones
b) Steve Bruce
c) Arsene Wenger

To enter click here










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