Wigan Athletic promoted: How social media reacted

Before Saturday’s clash at the Highbury Stadium, Latics knew that if they managed to beat Fleetwood, and Shrewsbury Town failed to defeat already-relegated Bury, they would clinch promotion with three games remaining.

Max Power opened the scoring for the Latics after 33 minutes with a side-footed effort from the edge of the box into the bottom corner after impressive work on the right flank by Nathan Byrne.

Gavin Massey doubled the lead for the visitors within quick succession, after a fantastic solo run, and powerful finish into the bottom corner.

Then Dan Burn fired the Latics into a three-goal lead, with the centre-back making no mistake from Ryan Colclough’s cross to score his sixth goal of the season.

Chey Dunkley rounded off the scoring, reacting the quickest to convert home from point-blank range, after Fleetwood goalkeeper Alex Cairns superbly denied Colclough’s header from Max Power’s corner.

Wigan fans had short wait to see if Shrewsbury could find a winner in the additional five minutes that were added on at the New Meadow, but Bury held on meaning that Wigan were officially promoted to the second-tier.

Party time commenced at Highbury Stadium, with chairman David Sharpe and grandfather Dave Whelan joining the players on the pitch to help lead the celebrations with the 1,122 jubilant Latics fans who made the journey to the Fylde coast.

Wigan fans took to Twitter to share their delight of securing promotion, praising the efforts of all involved at the club for their achievements this season.

@Garycar9: 4-0 emphatic victory. A huge thank you to Paul and all his staff for bringing football back to my team, bring on the Championship.”

@Worly82: “Up the tics!! Caps off a great weekend for the club and Joseph’s Goal”

@alex_caitx: Championship, we’re on our way!!! What a great season”

@MartinOHara9: “That’s promotion sorted, now let’s go for the top spot, and 100+ points, I don’t think I’m being greedy.”

@Amoyhotwok; “Get in! Well deserved promotion after some cracking wins! Now let’s get the title!”

Wigan Athletic will be in the Championship next season!

@PWilkinsonWIG: “Congrats to all involved. What a campaign. And great to secure promotion at the game which so many walked to Fleetwood for @JosephsGoal”

Wigan players, past and present, also took to social media to express their joy of the Latics promotion.

@SamMorsy08: “After the disappointments of last season we are back ! What a season it’s been and still some business to finish congratulations to everyone involved and the backing from the fans we’ve had this season!”

@NPowell25: “Yay”

Chey Dunkley: “Buzzing we did it. Boys have been incredible.... credit to the fans spurring us on all season- PROMOTION”

Shaun MacDonald: “Buzzing for the boys. Been a credit to the club. Congratulations everyone involved with the club.”

@callumlang10: “Get in the boys. Fully deserved, the team has been class all season”

Gavin Massey: “What a day! What a feeling! Championship here we come!”

@JordiGomez14: “Job done! Congrats to @LaticsOfficial on the promotion to the championship!”

Kevin Kilbane: “Congratulations to @LaticsOfficial on promotion to @SkyBetChampo . What an achievement by The Players, Paul Cook & all his staff.”

Mario Melchiot: “Championssss!!! You guys been top class all season. Congrats @LaticsOfficial @DavidSharpe91 the fans and myself of course. COME ON!”

Harry Maguire: “Big congratulations to @LaticsOfficial in their promotion. Enjoy tonight.”

Neil Mellor: “Congratulations to Paul Cook’s @LaticsOfficial getting promoted back to the Championship. Solid defensively and create and score plenty! That combination fully evident today. Fleetwood 0-4 Wigan”

Roman Golobart: “Great years to come for @LaticsOfficial and @DavidSharpe91. I hope you guys continue to make history!”

@DavidSharpe91: “The best days of my life!!! Thank you to Paul, the staff, the players and all the supporters!!! You have all been phenomenal!! WE ARE GOING UP, said we are going up!!!!!”

The Times’ chief football writer Henry Winter praised David Sharpe on Twitter, as a “great chairman who walked with #wafc fans 32 miles to the match to raise money for charity. Cares for club and represents them brilliantly.”

Former player Stephen Warnock tweeted: “Congratulations to my old club @LaticsOfficial on promotion back to the championship.”

Mike Pollitt and Jason Roberts sent on their best wishes.

Former keeper Chris Kirkland hailed their promotion as a “fantastic achievement.”

Steve McCormack, a member of the Warriors coaching staff and a Latics die-hard fan, posted: “Absolutely outstanding. UP THE @Laticsofficial.”

Wigan Warriors tweeted: “Congratulations to all at @LaticsOfficial on promotion back to the @SkyBetChamp!”