The Latics travel down to Meadow Park on Saturday to face National League runaway leaders, Boreham Wood FC, the second season running and the fourth time in six years that we have been drawn to face non-league opposition in the FA Cup.
Not a regular occurrence though. Since becoming a Football League Club in 1978, Wigan Athletic have only drawn non-league opposition on 20 occasions in the world's most prestigious football cup competition.
The Latics have progressed from 16 of those ties onto the next round, including Macclesfield away in 2013 when we went on to win the Cup on that splendid day in May.
On seven occasions a replay has been needed to settle the outcome, we have won six of those, the only defeat coming away at Telford in 1982 following a goalless draw at Springfield Park .
We have been knocked out of the FA Cup four times by non-league opposition, two of those defeats coming at home, Canvey Island and Chorley and the two away defeats, at the previously mentioned, Telford United, and old foes, Altrincham.
The four defeats, were all by the odd goal, three finishing a goal to nil, Telford, Altrincham and Canvey Island, whilst Chorley beat us 2:3 in an extraordinary game.
On the plus side we have put 4 past three sides, Spennymoor United and Barrow without reply and Runcorn in a game that ended 4:2 in our favour.
Highest home attendance 11,298 v Northwich Vic 1979, the lowest, 1,804 v Leek Town in a 1993 replay.
The average home attendance across thirteen games played at ‘home’ is 4,149, that includes Cambridge City which was an away tie that was switched to the JJB, but not Chorley, which took place during stadium lockdowns in 2020/21 season.
Highest away attendance 6,613 v York City in December 2023, the lowest 2,844 v Runcorn in November 1995.
The average attendance across the nine games played ‘away’ is 4,224.
The Latics face a tough tie at Boreham Wood on Saturday, but hopefully we can keep up our good record of an 80% success rate of progression when facing non-league sides.
Grab a listen to the latest podcast with a preview of the Latics FA Cup tie at Boreham Wood, click on the embedded player at the bottom of this article.
Wigan Athletic FA Cup record against non-league opposition since 1978/79 season, result and attendances.
|
Year |
Round |
Opponent |
|
Replay |
Home/Away Att |
|
1979 |
2 |
Northwich Vic |
2:2 (a) |
1:0 (h) |
11,298 5,249 |
|
1982 |
1 |
Telford Utd |
0:0 (h) |
1:0 (a) |
4,805 5,085 |
|
1983 |
2 |
Whitby Town |
1:0 (h) |
|
4,599 |
|
1984 |
2 |
Northwich Vic |
2:1 (h) |
|
5,099 |
|
1985 |
2 |
Runcorn |
1:1 (a) |
4:0 (h) |
3,390 |
|
1987 |
1 |
Altrincham |
0:2 (a) |
|
4,004 |
|
1993 |
1 |
Leek Town |
2:2 (a) |
3:0 (h) |
1,804 |
|
1994 |
1 |
Spennymoor Utd |
4:0 (h) |
|
2,183 |
|
1994 |
2 |
Altrincham |
1:0 (a) |
|
3,020 |
|
1995 |
1 |
Runcorn |
1:1 (a) |
4:2 (h) |
3,224 2,844 |
|
1995 |
2 |
Barrow |
0:4 (a) |
|
3,500 |
|
1999 |
1 |
Cambridge City* |
0:2 (a) |
|
4,024 @JJB |
|
2000 |
1 |
Dorchester Town |
3:1 (h) |
|
3,883 |
|
2001 |
1 |
Canvey Island |
0:1 (h) |
|
3,671 |
|
2002 |
1 |
Hereford Utd |
0:1 (a) |
|
4,005 |
|
2017 |
2 |
AFC Fylde |
1:1 (a) |
3:2 (h) |
3,124 |
|
2020 |
1 |
Chorley |
2:3 (h) |
|
0 - Covid |
|
2021 |
1 |
Solihull Moors |
0:0 (h) |
1:2 (a) |
2,843 3,703 |
|
2023 |
2 |
York City |
0:1 (a) |
|
6,613 |
|
2025 |
1 |
Hemel Hempstead Town |
1:1 (h) |
5:3 pens |
4,020 |
