Online support group for Wigan Athletic fans launched

The Wigan Athletic Supporters Mental Health Group is for fans to talk about wellbeing and how they are coping with the dark days of their club’s administration.

Jay says football plays a huge role in the lives of Latics fans and the idea of the club potentially disappearing if a buyer cannot be found has raised the prospect of a huge hole in their weekend routines and friendship and scoialising circles.

The idea for the group came up at a podcast where Jay was sitting alongside other fans, members of the Latics’ official supporters’ club, team legend Emmerson Boyce and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy.

Jay thought it was such an important proposal that he decided to run with it and set the group up.

The 20-year-old said: “I had a few thoughts about something like this but after several conversations decided we could make a difference.

“Social media can be quite a negative place at times but it can also be powerful and we can use it to look after each other.

“For some people Wigan Athletic is an escape from their mental health battles and I’ve heard people say that if Wigan does fold they are not sure what they will do with themselves.

“People have been opening up about their experiences. We got one message from a fan who has social anxiety saying Latics is the only place where he feels welcome and able to join in conversations and make friends.

“We need to rally together, offer a shoulder to anyone who needs it and show what a great community club we are.”

A number of current and former NHS professionals, including some who work in mental health services, have already joined the group and will be there if anyone directly needs support with their wellbeing.

Jay hopes the group will also be able to magnify supporters’ voices and opinions on the long road that currently lies ahead of the club.

Latics supporters can join the group through Facebook or WhatsApp.

To find out more follow Jay on Twitter @JayWhittle6