When Wigan Athletic found themselves in administration on the 1st of July the magnificent supporters of this wonderful community club rallied round to dig deep, a crowdfunder was set up to raise money to keep the club operating until a buyer can be found, a staggering £150,000 was raised in a matter of days.
There are and have been many fantastic initiatives and fundraisers over the past couple of weeks, but one that has been quite inspirational – and moving – is what a young man, who originates from South Wales has done.
Jack Green became a supporter of the Latics through his father, I first met Jack 10 years ago when he used to frequent the Latics Speyk message board, it was obvious then that he had a passion for the club and it meant a great deal to him.
I will pass over to Jack to tell his story and why he has undertaken such a challenge for the sake of our club:
Wembley to Wigan, Sponsored Cycle
On the 12th of July, I will be setting off on my bike from Wembley Stadium where our unassuming Wigan achieved greatness to the place we call home: the DW Stadium.
I
aim to arrive in Wigan on the 14th if anyone fancies greeting me with a
Lucozade!
Why
you crazy, man?
Back in 2012, my Dad who was my best friend, unfortunately lost a long
battle with depression and took his own life.
He was the man who got me hooked on all things Wigan Athletic, and the Latics were something we bonded over for almost a decade. Around a week after my Dad passed away, I received a sympathy card in the post - it was from Roberto Martinez, our then manager - offering his condolences. As an 18 year old boy who'd just lost his Dad, this really meant the world to me. But this is not an isolated incident from the club, showing how central and important it is to the fan base and how much they really do care. Over the past few days, I have seen countless stories where the club has helped fans in need or dealing with grief.
This
special club has fought for us on the pitch.
It's time to fight for them and do all we can to keep the club going to the end
of the season.
As many of you will know, on July 1st, our club was put into administration
under dubious circumstances. Within hours the EFL released a statement
announcing a 12 point deduction to be activated either this or next season,
depending on which will cause the most pain.
The reason for this sponsored cycle is therefore two fold. The first is simple:
I love this club and it is too important to the supporters and people of Wigan
to lose. The club’s appointed administrators have said there’s a 75% chance
that we’ll complete the season meaning we as a fan base need to do everything
we can to raise the funds to make sure we finish what we started.
The second is to protest and raise awareness of the failings of the EFL. When
Wigan were taken over 5 weeks ago, the new owners passed the EFL’s “Fit and
Proper” test, which is supposed to prove that the new owner has the money to
fund the club for the current season and following season. If the EFL had done
their job properly, we would not be in this position. The fact that they
also want to impose a 12 point penalty on us is a farce. This penalty only
hurts the staff, players and fans - not the owners.
Someone
pass me a tissue...
Despite not being from Wigan, my Dad took me to a game under the lights of
the (then named) JJB Stadium. I instantly fell in love with the club. From our
first win against the big four at home to Chelsea, to the comeback against West
Ham, to a late winner from Wildschut at Wasall, that away day in Blackpool, the
FA Cup Final, the good, the bad and the ugly...it’s been one hell of a ride. A
ride that shouldn’t end here. Wigan is a true community club and the
absolute heartbeat of the town.
Having
already lost Bury FC, we have a duty to force the EFL into reform before
another community loses their club. Football clubs aren’t play things for the
rich. They are employers and creators of dreams and memories that last a
lifetime .
Thank
you:
Thanks for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for any
donations regardless of size. If you cannot donate at this time please take a
moment to write to the EFL, your local MP and / or the secretary of Culture and
Sport. We can’t go down without a fight; it’s not in our DNA
Up the 'tics.
Jack
Jack completed his challenge yesterday (Tuesday) shortly before the Latics demolished Hull at the DW Stadium, what an inspiration to us all, thank you Jack I am so proud of what you have done.
If you would
like to support Jack you can make a donation via his gofundme page
I’m sure he will be grateful
A well deserved pint! |
Well well very well done. Fantastic! Like you I had a great thing from the club when my Dad died. I got a fantastic wonderful 35 second video clip of condolences from Paul Cook. It was really great and such kind words. I played it at his memorial gathering!! Thank you and well done. I hope you had a good ride with no road rage or punctures. Where did you stay over night? A brilliant effort.
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