This has been some season, what a ride once again supporting Wigan Athletic, but this time it’s been a little different.
What has unfolded this season must be looked at in the context of what went before, down and out, literally no money and no players, a manager who was operating with both hands tied behind his back.
We have bounced back so effectively that we now stand on the verge of promotion back to the Championship and a full reset from two years ago.
The turnaround is testament to the hard work of all involved, Leam Richardson and his new coaching staff have been phenomenal, they have brought in 17 new players to the squad got them to gel and perform at the top of their performance levels from the word go. Making the top four of League One before August was out and staying there all season, sensational.
We have suffered injury losses to key players throughout the campaign, Wyke, Cousins, Tilt, Magennis and McClean all out for a length of time, but we still managed to keep the results coming in.
Off the pitch the hard work and dedication shown by CEO Mal Brannigan cannot be understated, new initiatives like the Believe Fans Fund, early release of Season Tickets, working tirelessly on projects to get the club back on its feet following the devastating effect of having the administrators in.
It is though what we do on the pitch that matters most to the supporters of the club and my word have we shone, at home but especially on our travels. Some of the away days this season have been legendary, the absolute annihilation of Bolton in their own back yard will stay with the Latics fans for many years.
There have been others too. Accrington and their fan zone was excellent, a trip to the Fylde Coast never fails to disappoint and that comeback after being two down with Tilty grabbing the winner in front of the away end, I could go on and on, Plymouth, Oxford, Wycombe and many more.
Just lately we have stuttered as we reach the climax to the season, but so too have our nearest rivals, it is tense and teams undoubtedly raise their game against ‘the top of the league’ sides, no one wants to be the team that lost and got so and so promoted, but it is more than that.
Shrewsbury will be the 61st game of this season, that is some going and it is understandable that the lads are a little jaded, no doubting their effort and they are clearly fired up for each game, but a long season does take its toll.
So we go into the game at the New Meadow looking to ensure we don’t see the extremely unlikely event of a seven goal swing to MK Dons occur and also at least match Rotherham’s result away at battling Gillingham, to be crowned the Champions of League One.
Champions of League One.
Writing that down feels so surreal considering the journey we have travelled over the past 12 months or so, it may not come about, we may be pipped, but we are certainly in the driving seat going into the weekend games and that will do for me.
It is almost, almost a certainty that we will be promoted and who wouldn’t have taken that last summer, to get the title too will be an achievement to rank with the best we have achieved over the years.
Leam Richardson deserves ever plaudit coming his way, a gentleman, a leader and already a Latics Legend.
So here’s to you Leam Richardson, Wigan really does love you more than you will know, thank you to Talal for your enthusiasm, drive and belief in our club and our town and thank you Mal for pulling it all together behind the scenes and giving us the opportunity to stand tall once more.
I'll shed more than a couple of tears tomorrow, so proud of my club, our club Wigan Athletic
Up the tics!
