'Dad would be saying, "Get off your backside and do something"'

Caroline Molyneux, chair of the Wigan Athletic supporters club

Stood next to the DW Stadium pitch - the stage of so many highlights, and heartaches, for two decades - she turned and pointed towards the cardboard cutouts in the East Stand seats.

"My dad took me to my first game when I was eight, the Freight Rovers Trophy," said the 41-year-old, the chair of the supporters club.

"He died in March, from Covid. His cut-out is over there."

Harold Molyneux was just 69.

"And that's why this means so much," she said, fighting back the tears.

"Because I just know, with the club where it is right now, dad would be saying, 'Get off your backside and do something'."

Which is why, for the last few weeks, she and many others have dedicated countless hours to setting up the 'Save Our Club' campaign. All the time, hoping a buyer would emerge who would rescue Wigan Athletic from administration.

But none have come forward and, with time and options running out, they decided to act.

With the backing of the club's former CEO Jonathan Jackson and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy, they yesterday unveiled their bold plan to raise £500,000 by Monday.

That target, they say, would satisfy the EFL that they could operate a "sustainable" club - providing a safety net as the new campaign looms.

It's ambitious, but it is not without precedent.

"We've been talking a lot to Portsmouth," explained teacher Molyneux. "They were in administration for 14 months and eventually Pompey Trust bought the club, they stabilised the club and only within the last 12 months they've sold it to a multi-millionaire to take it to the next level.

"We're working to put a viable option on the table.

"If someone comes in, we can try and negotiate a fans' stake in the football club and have a voice for the supporters going forward.

"Without a share in the football club, the money is returned.

"It's critical we do this."

She thanked Crowdfunder, the supporters club team and all the others who have helped.

"All the fans groups have come together," she said. "The fans were brilliant when we needed to keep the club going, they raised £191,000 then.

"The have been so active, why would we not be part of the solution?"

In less than 24 hours, the fund had topped the £100,000 mark. It can be reached here