Latics Vs Sunderland - Those Were The Days 1988

Saturday 12th March 1988, Wigan Athletic take on Sunderland in a Division 3 game (now League 1) this game will be remembered not for the match but for something quite unique.

Played at the Latics old ground Springfield Park the away end, known as the Shevvy End was a grassy bank and a few concrete terraces as you neared the perimeter wall, a Health & Safety nightmare and that end of the ground would no doubt be closed in todays stringent ground safety requirements.

Sunderland were riding high in the table and indeed would be crowned Champions at the end of the season whilst the Latics were pushing for a play-off place, a big crowd was expected and so was trouble but quite the opposite was about to happen.

There had been a lot of rain in the area for a few days and the Shevvy End being uncovered was absolutely sodden the grass disappeared and all that was left was a mud hill, now the Sunderland fans milling around at half time were trying to find some shelter from the elements when one supporter slipped near to the top of the bank and slid on his backside down the slope.

You could see the light bulbs flash above the Sunderland supporters heads as they realised that they could hold their own version of an Olympic downhill slalom and so the fun began.

Captured for eternity by Soccer AM and youtube here is a video of that infamous Saturday in March 1988


The game by the way finished 2-2



T-Shirt Competition

Vital Wigan are running a competition for three lucky members to receive a Latics WN1 T-Shirt signed by the boss himself Roberto Martinez.

So how do you get to win a T-Shirt signed by the gaffer? Simply answer the following question.

Where is the new Latics WN1 situated?

A - The Galleries
B - The Grand Arcade
C - The Royal Arcade

Send your answer to: wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk, be sure to mark your email T-Shirt comp, include your name and a postal address and T-Shirt size required (these will be passed onto Wigan Athletic who will distribute the prize) and Vital username.

Closing date is Friday 4th December 5pm

Meet the ref article here











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