'Devastated' David Sharpe on the betting rumour - and his hopes for Latics' future

EFL chairman Rick Parry has been secretly filmed holding a shocking conversation with a Latics fan in which he said there was a rumour that the club's administration was linked to "a bet in the Philippines on them being relegated".

Former chairman Sharpe - "devastated" by this week's development - doesn't think there is substance to the speculation.

And in an interview with TalkSport radio today, he spoke of his hopes that the club will survive in League One - and admitted the 25,000-seater DW Stadium is too big for the club.

Asked about the betting angle, Sharpe said: "It's a bit of a bizarre story, I can't believe it - I feel it's a rumour, it's very far-fetched.

"I struggle to believe that rumour... but you never know in this day and age."

Sharpe left Latics when IEC bought the club less than two years ago. He had been in the role since his grandad, Dave Whelan, stepped down as chairman three years earlier.

"When I first heard the news I was devastated. I still am," he said. "Honestly, I'm questioning how it happened and how it's been allowed to happen."

Latics was placed into administration on Wednesday, and at least 12 prospective buyers have already come forward.

Sharpe hopes the new owner is "local, or from the UK" and both understands Latics' position and has realistic ambitions.

"We hope it's someone who knows the football club, knows the town and can provide funds, and can get the club back on a level footing," he continued. "Right now, whatever league they're in, I just want the club to survive. That's the priority.

"In reality, Wigan the town, the population isn't huge, it's surrounded by big football clubs, it's a working class town, the stadium for it's fanbase, it should only be a 10,000-seater stadium in reality.

"If you strip away that we were in the Premier League for so long and were in Europe and we won the Cup, it's really not a huge football club. That's the reality. If it survived with a lower wage bill in League One, I would be very happy with that.

"Right now, as much as I'd love the team to stay in the Championship, the wages you need to have a very wealthy man.

"The best person I feel would be someone who knows the area, who isn't going to come with grand ambitions and say 'Premier League'... that's been and gone. As a Wigan supporter we have to leave those days behind us and concentrate on the club surviving.

"(The new owner) would be someone who is local or from the UK who understands EFL football and what the town is about."