Wigan Athletic was founded in 1932 after the demise of Wigan Borough FC who were formed in 1920 after their immediate predecessors Wigan United had to turn professional after it was discovered that the club were paying its amateur players for 'lost time.' The team took over the former club's fixtures in the Lancashire Combination league, under another name of Wigan Association, until the Lancashire FA allowed the name change to Wigan Borough. (There's enough skullduggery already to last a lifetime, snigger ED).

In 1978 Wigan Athletic was elected to the Football League. Wigan's first game was against Hereford United on August 19th at Hereford's Edgar Street ground in front of 5,674 with approx 3,000 'Latic' fans making the journey to witness a 0-0 draw and Wigan's first ever point in the Football League hierarchy. Wigan's first League win game against was against near neighours Rochdale winning 3-0. The goalscorers in that game were: Wright, Corrigan and Hinnigan. And Wigan in their first football league season finished a positive sixth.

One of Wigan's most notable results was in 1981 where they beat and outplayed a Chelsea team at their Springfield Park ground 4-2. I should know I was there and the journey home was not one of the best. At the time Wigan was in the Old 4th Division and Chelsea was in the old 2nd Division. Even so the result was regarded as a shock. Prior to that in 1980 in the FA Cup, Wigan came to 'The Bridge' and nicked a 1-0 (oh Happy Days LOL Ed).

Nowadays Wigan Athletic are owned by Mr JJB, Dave Whelan who has worked tirelessly to achieve his dream of seeing Wigan Athletic in the Premiership. The club now play at the extremely impressive JJB Stadium which has a capacity of 25,000 and ground share with Wigan Rugby League club.

Wigan's manager is former player Paul Jewell who replaced the now Birmingham manager Steve Bruce and Jewell's assistant is Chris Hutchings a former Chelsea full back.

Wigan's honours include:

Northern Premier League Champions, 1970-71, 1974-75

Promotion to Third Division 1981-2

FA Cup Best Season 6th Round 1986-7

Freight Rover Trophy Winners 1984-85

Third Division Champions 1996-97

Second Division Champions 2002-03

Promotion to the Premiership 2004/05

Putting Sunday's game aside, Good Luck Wigan Athletic for the 2005/06 season.