Cook hopefully has recipe for success

He will assist in a part-time advisory capacity, helping the board of directors with strategic planning and long term objectives.

“Garry will be an independent voice providing advice and management,” said chairman David Sharpe.

“He adds expertise and energy to the club as we enter the next stage in our history.

“We are looking forward to working with him and benefiting from his many years of experience in senior sports management.”

Cook has spent over 25 years in the sports industry in senior strategic roles.

Prior to that he spent 12 years at Nike in the USA and Holland.

Most recently he spent five years in the USA as part of the senior management team that developed and sold the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

“I was both honoured and delighted to be asked to be part of the team developing the next chapter for Wigan Athletic,” said Cook.

“Returning to the UK and football was a careful decision and had to include supporting a chairman with a high level of ambition and enthusiasm to build the club for future success.”