LUKE MARSDEN: Latics are part of our town’s DNA

In fact, the only time I’ve ever watched a football game I spent 20 minutes watching a carrier bag that had blown onto the pitch thinking that was the ball. In my defence, I was in the nosebleed seats.

As I read the news this week that Wigan Athletic has entered administration, I felt a deep sense of sadness for our town. I, like many Wiganers, have fond memories of seeing my Dad and his friends head towards the DW Stadium on a Saturday excited about Wigan Athletic FC’s prospects, we’ve all probably driven around the Robin Park area on a match day and seen the waves of blue heading towards the stadium. It would be a travesty if they remain only memories.

This isn’t just about kicking a ball around on a pitch, this is about Wigan punching above its weight as a town on the national stage. During my stint of hosting the Wigan Christmas lights switch-ons, I actually had the opportunity to interview Roberto Martinez.

I remember thinking I wasn’t the best placed person to chat football with an award-winning manager but that chat remains one of the best interviews I’ve ever done because of the passion the crowd and Roberto displayed.

I’m hoping a rescue is possible for Wigan Athletic because it’s more than just a match day and a new shirt every year, it is part of Wigan’s DNA and you never know, in the future you may spot me in the stands wearing a branded bobble hat and chanting Will Grigg’s on Fire. Baby steps Luke, baby steps.

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