It seems that London are going part-time next season, and they have something we don’t … a wealthy backer. I wonder whether the proposed reduction in Sky money and it’s likely impact on Championship sides has had any bearing?
Certainly sounds like it according to their club statement. The statement by the Wigan Chairman should be a warning bell for many clubs, with or without financial backers! An interesting comparison inside the LE front page – Widnes declare that they are financially sound takes the top story but Wigan’s chairman’s tale of woe and long term debt takes a lower slot!
this goes some way to explaining why we were able to attract Marty here. Part time in London or back home is probably more financially viable. Just a thought are there any other London players that we would like to see at Widnes? Again perhaps northern lads who now the monies not there to make London an option could add value to our squad?
The same thought struck me VK re Fozzie!
It's looking like a Merseysiders v the rest next year!!!!
Terrifying when mighty Wigan hit the buffers!
I can see Londons point, finishing 6th with 4 of the 5 teams above them part time. However who is going to play in London part time? It could see a few more northern London players heading to us or rival clubs.
Next year obviously Leigh will be favourites, but I actually think Tolouse Championship squad is better than their current SL squad. Featherstone and Bradford the other top sides. With a few more good signings I think 3rd is realistic after Leigh and Featherstone, we should be able to compete with Fax, Bradford, Batley and a part time London side.
All depends on strength in depth Leigh might have SL aspirations but haven't shone even against lower SL sides. A good quality consistent PT squad shouldn't be that worried.
With a few more good signings I think 3rd is realistic after Leigh and Featherstone, we should be able to compete with Fax, Bradford, Batley and a part time London side.
Seems unlikely to me, going from strugglers at the bottom to challengers at the top.Are we to assume the other clubs won't be making any signings and squad strengthening of their own?
With a few more good signings I think 3rd is realistic after Leigh and Featherstone, we should be able to compete with Fax, Bradford, Batley and a part time London side.
Seems unlikely to me, going from strugglers at the bottom to challengers at the top.Are we to assume the other clubs won’t be making any signings and squad strengthening of their own?
To be fair, we beat Halifax and Bradford and should have beat London.
London will find it hard to attract players - might end up with a few full-time players who work in the community; and the rest local players. Probably bodes well for our chances of finishing above them.
What's particularly interesting is that given teams are likely to have to finish in top 7 to stay in the "Championship" for 2023, does it put London at risk of not even being in it?!
Money always talks and if London were looking as they might drop players would be found.
Further to the above Wigan are taking legal action against some of the clubs sponsors who are late with payments due to their own business problems due to Covid! How to win friends!!!
Wigan are definitely in the brown stuff.
Their rent is going up at the DW (undisclosed at this stage, but reading between the lines, it's going to be a hefty rise) plus they still owe Wigan Athletic circa £75k in rent arrears from last year (played 4 home games before lockdown and paid nowt!).
Further to the above Wigan are taking legal action against some of the clubs sponsors who are late with payments due to their own business problems due to Covid! How to win friends!!!
Wigan are definitely in the brown stuff. Their rent is going up at the DW (undisclosed at this stage, but reading between the lines, it’s going to be a hefty rise) plus they still owe Wigan Athletic circa £75k in rent arrears from last year (played 4 home games before lockdown and paid nowt!).
Wasn’t Wigan FC in administration then?
The ongoing £250k pa is a killer!
Further to the above Wigan are taking legal action against some of the clubs sponsors who are late with payments due to their own business problems due to Covid! How to win friends!!!
Wigan are definitely in the brown stuff. Their rent is going up at the DW (undisclosed at this stage, but reading between the lines, it’s going to be a hefty rise) plus they still owe Wigan Athletic circa £75k in rent arrears from last year (played 4 home games before lockdown and paid nowt!).
Wasn’t Wigan FC in administration then?
We only went into administration on July 1st.
Our new owners have already figured out that Lenegan is a shyster, and have no doubt already factored in the missing money into the upcoming rent rise.
Further to the above Wigan are taking legal action against some of the clubs sponsors who are late with payments due to their own business problems due to Covid! How to win friends!!!
Wigan are definitely in the brown stuff. Their rent is going up at the DW (undisclosed at this stage, but reading between the lines, it’s going to be a hefty rise) plus they still owe Wigan Athletic circa £75k in rent arrears from last year (played 4 home games before lockdown and paid nowt!).
Wasn’t Wigan FC in administration then?
We only went into administration on July 1st. Our new owners have already figured out that Lenegan is a shyster, and have no doubt already factored in the missing money into the upcoming rent rise.
So Wigan owed the old club? Won’t that be null and void now anyway
Further to the above Wigan are taking legal action against some of the clubs sponsors who are late with payments due to their own business problems due to Covid! How to win friends!!!
Wigan are definitely in the brown stuff. Their rent is going up at the DW (undisclosed at this stage, but reading between the lines, it’s going to be a hefty rise) plus they still owe Wigan Athletic circa £75k in rent arrears from last year (played 4 home games before lockdown and paid nowt!).
Wasn’t Wigan FC in administration then?
We only went into administration on July 1st. Our new owners have already figured out that Lenegan is a shyster, and have no doubt already factored in the missing money into the upcoming rent rise.
So Wigan owed the old club? Won’t that be null and void now anyway
Correct.
It's null & void in the sense that they no longer need to pay back the £75k.
However, our new owners have been through the books with a fine tooth comb, and concluded that Wigan Rugby weren't paying any near enough in rent, so it's swings and roundabouts, ain't it? 😉
They've been pretty ruthless in stamping their authority on the place.
The Stadium has been cleaned inside & out from top to bottom.
New signage has gone up all around the outside of the Stadium, with very little of it in the way of Wigan Warriors stuff.
All of the Warriors fan flags that hung from the gantry of the South Stand = GONE.
At the end of the season, all the seats in the Stadium are being replaced with brand new Blue & White seats (That went down like a lead balloon with the Rugby fans).
But...the simple fact is, it isn't their Stadium and it never has been.
They've been paying "mates rates" rent for the past 21 years, and unfortunately our new owners simply don't care about Wigan Rugby, like Dave Whelan did.
It's already been touted that Wigan Rugby could play their home games at either Bolton or LSV should rent negotiations not reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Just to reiterate, We cannot kick Wigan Rugby out of the DW under the terms of their lease.
However... they are free to leave of their own volition, should they disagree with the revised rent package.