Wigan Athletic - Scharner Returns

When you take to your seat at around 2:50 on Saturday you just may find yourself rubbing your eyes. If number 33 on the opposition team looks very familiar you wont be surprised to learn that an old friend as returned to say 'hallo'. Former Wigan Athletic player Paul Scharner is all set for an emotional return to the DW Stadium tomorrow when the Latics take on West Brom.

Scharner spent four and a half years with the Latics, in that time he was voted player of the season, scored vital goals to beat Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi final and against Sheffield United that helped to retain our Premier League status, and became without doubt a modern day Latics legend.

The fans fell in love with Herr Scharner and in return he fell in love with us, his antics are legendary, as are his hair styles and it feels strange not having him in and around the team

The Austria international says he is very excited about returning to face the Latics and he is hoping for a good reception from the supporters who obviously mean a lot to him. Scharner says that it was emotional to leave the Latics and he has big feelings for the game tomorrow.

Speaking to the West Brom official website Scharner said: 'I'm excited about tomorrow's game, I played for Wigan for four-and-a-half years and it was my longest spell at a club as a professional footballer.

'I'm looking forward to seeing all my ex-colleagues and staff, I had a really good time there and the fans created a song for me so I hope I get a good response from them.

'It was emotional to leave Wigan. They gave me the chance to play in the Premier League. We stopped in the league and it was nice to be part of that. I decided it was time to move on and try to win something in football.

"There is a bit more of a feeling in this game for me than the other games.'

It will be great to see him back at the DW Stadium, he`s a dead cert to score against us, just hope that we are 4-0 up at the time and it`s a consolation for them.

Paul Scharner says 'thanx and goodbye` to Latics fans back in May





















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