Away Supporters Guide to Wigan

Where is Wigan?

Wigan is situated between Manchester and Liverpool and as such is the centre of the North West

Address

Wigan Athletic Football Club
The JJB Stadium
Robin Park Complex
Newtown
Wigan
WN5 0UZ

Telephone 01942 774000

History

Wigan Athletic Football Club was formed in 1932, 75 years old this year, following the demise of Wigan Borough FC, who resigned from the Football League due financial problems

The newly formed Latics bought Wigan Borough`s Springfield Park Stadium for £2,850 and joined the Cheshire League

The early years were spent in the Cheshire League (twice) and the Lancashire Combination and the club enjoyed lots of success

In the 1953-54 season the Latics played Hereford United in a FA Cup second round tie and the 27,526 who attended the game set a record for attendance between two non-league teams at a non-league ground.

The record still stands today

In 1968 Wigan Athletic were founder members of the newly formed Northern Premier League and again enjoyed league success for the next ten years

June 1978 a momentous day in the history of the Latics, they were elected to the Football League and took the place of Southport.

The club enjoyed a little success on their new venture in the Football League, gaining promotion in 1982 and reaching the FA Cup quarter final in 1987, also winning the Freight Rover Trophy in 1985

The Latics got relegated back to the bottom division in 1993 and finished fourth from bottom in the 1993/94 season, their worst ever finish

In 1995 local business man Dave Whelan bought the club and inflicted his drive into Wigan Athletic and they haven`t looked back since

Whelan appointed John Deehan manger and he steered Latics out of the bottom division
Latics moved into their new 25.000 all seater stadium for the start of the 1999/2000 season

Following the appointment of Paul Jewell in 2001 to the managers hot seat Latics won two promotions and found themselves starting life as a Premier League club in the 2005/06 season

Since then they have managed to stay in the Premier League against all odds and reached the 2006 Carling Cup Final

Current Star Players

Emile Heskey, Jason Koumas, Mario Melchiot, Antonio Valencia and Chris Kirkland

How do I get to the JJB?

By train, Wigan North Western or Wigan Wallgate, these stations are both in the town centre and are a five minute walk from the ground

By Car, Wigan is served with good motorway links and can be accessed by both the M6 and M61, the stadium is signposted

Car Parking, there is ample car parking for both home and away fans at the stadium itself

Pubs, there are lots of pubs in and around the ground away fans tend to use the Red Robin which is situated on Robin Park about 300 metres from the ground

Away End at the JJB, away supporters are allocated the entire North stand which seats just over 5,000

Making a night of it, Wigan is well renowned in the North West for a cracking night out, hit King Street and you won`t be disappointed

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