Jackson: There's a real positive feel

Latics are still celebrating picking up the League One title at the weekend.

And after the trials and tribulations of last term – when everything that could have gone wrong, did go wrong – the Latics chief executive has enjoyed seeing smiles being put back on the faces.

“It’s been a very successful season, both on and off the pitch,” Jackson told the Evening Post.

“It’s going to be a very interesting challenge, and also a very different one,

“When we came down from the Premier League, we were in a different position financially, with us benefiting from the parachute payments.

“But at the same time we’re going up with a real momentum and a real positive atmosphere.

“We’re got a new group of players that have come together this year and really combined to generate a fabulous team spirit.

“And we’ve played some real quality football. We’ve all enjoyed watching the games, home and away, and we all hope we can continue that momentum going into next season.”

And Jackson says Latics will not be going up just to make up the numbers.

“It’s very important that we are competitive next year, and hopefully be challenging near the top of the table again,” he added.

“That’s where we were in our first season in the Championship, before the disappointment of last season.

“And we’ll be going back there with a real positive feeling about the place.”