RETRO SPORT: Wigan Athletic fans 1971-1975

By Michelle Adamson

Published 30th Sep 2023, 04:55 GMT

We are taking you back to the early 1970s, when our photographer Frank Orrell covered Wigan Athletic games, home and away. As well as picturing the action on the pitch, he also captured the fans cheering on their team.

Wigan Athletic fans – 1971-1975

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 3rd round match against Barnet at Springfield Park on Saturday 26th of February 1972. Wigan lost the match 2-1 with Joe Fletcher scoring the Latic's goal.

. 1972

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 3rd round match against Barnet at Springfield Park on Saturday 26th of February 1972. Wigan lost the match 2-1 with Joe Fletcher scoring the Latic's goal. Photo: Frank Orrell

Fans at the Wigan Athletic versus Goole Town match in the Northern Premier League at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of November 1971.
Latics won 4-1 with goals from Geoff Davies 2, Jim Fleming and Joe Fletcher.

. 1971

Fans at the Wigan Athletic versus Goole Town match in the Northern Premier League at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of November 1971. Latics won 4-1 with goals from Geoff Davies 2, Jim Fleming and Joe Fletcher. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic manager, Les Rigby, salutes fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final.

. 1973

Wigan Athletic manager, Les Rigby, salutes fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at the fixture against Burton Albion in an FA Trophy match at Springfield Park on Saturday 2nd of December 1972.
Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Mickey Worswick 3, Paul Clements and Joe Fletcher.

. 1972

Wigan Athletic fans at the fixture against Burton Albion in an FA Trophy match at Springfield Park on Saturday 2nd of December 1972. Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Mickey Worswick 3, Paul Clements and Joe Fletcher. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 1st round match against Boston United at Springfield Park on Saturday 12th of January 1974. Latics lost the match 2-3 with Albert Kinsey scoring the Latic's goals.

. 1974

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 1st round match against Boston United at Springfield Park on Saturday 12th of January 1974. Latics lost the match 2-3 with Albert Kinsey scoring the Latic's goals. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic mid-fielder Tommy Gore comes onto the field for the second half during his debut in the Northern Premier League match against Buxton at Springfield Park on Saturday 19th of January 1974. Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Albert Jackson 3, Kenny Morris and Mickey Worswick.

. 1974

Wigan Athletic mid-fielder Tommy Gore comes onto the field for the second half during his debut in the Northern Premier League match against Buxton at Springfield Park on Saturday 19th of January 1974. Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Albert Jackson 3, Kenny Morris and Mickey Worswick. Photo: Frank Orrell

The Wigan Athletic team are welcomed to Wigan town hall by the mayor, Coun. Ethel Naylor and deputy, Coun. Marian Pratt, on Sunday 29th of April despite losing in the FA Trophy final.

. 1973

The Wigan Athletic team are welcomed to Wigan town hall by the mayor, Coun. Ethel Naylor and deputy, Coun. Marian Pratt, on Sunday 29th of April despite losing in the FA Trophy final. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic players Johnny King and Albert Jackson and manager, Les Rigby, swamped by fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final.

. 1973

Wigan Athletic players Johnny King and Albert Jackson and manager, Les Rigby, swamped by fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at the Lancs Challenge Trophy 2nd round match against Clitheroe at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of January 1973.

. 1973

Wigan Athletic fans at the Lancs Challenge Trophy 2nd round match against Clitheroe at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of January 1973. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final.

. 1973

Wigan Athletic fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic forward John Rogers celebrates with fans after scoring the opening goal against Lancaster City at Giant Axe in the FA Trophy 3rd round match on Saturday 22nd of February 1975. Latics won the game 2-0 with Mickey Worswick scoring the other goal.

. 1975

Wigan Athletic forward John Rogers celebrates with fans after scoring the opening goal against Lancaster City at Giant Axe in the FA Trophy 3rd round match on Saturday 22nd of February 1975. Latics won the game 2-0 with Mickey Worswick scoring the other goal. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans watching the Northern Premier League match against Gainsborough Trinity at Springfield Park on Saturday 30th of August 1975 which ended in a 0-0 draw.

. 1975

Wigan Athletic fans watching the Northern Premier League match against Gainsborough Trinity at Springfield Park on Saturday 30th of August 1975 which ended in a 0-0 draw. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans cheer on their team against Runcorn in a Northern Premier League match at Springfield Park on Saturday 30th of December 1972.
Latics won 3-0 with Micky Worswick, Graham Oates and John Rogers scoring the goals.

. 1972

Wigan Athletic fans cheer on their team against Runcorn in a Northern Premier League match at Springfield Park on Saturday 30th of December 1972. Latics won 3-0 with Micky Worswick, Graham Oates and John Rogers scoring the goals. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 3rd round match against Barnet at Springfield Park on Saturday 26th of February 1972. Wigan lost the match 2-1 with Joe Fletcher scoring the Latic's goal.

1. 1972

Wigan Athletic fans at the FA Trophy 3rd round match against Barnet at Springfield Park on Saturday 26th of February 1972. Wigan lost the match 2-1 with Joe Fletcher scoring the Latic's goal. Photo: Frank Orrell

Fans at the Wigan Athletic versus Goole Town match in the Northern Premier League at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of November 1971.
Latics won 4-1 with goals from Geoff Davies 2, Jim Fleming and Joe Fletcher.

2. 1971

Fans at the Wigan Athletic versus Goole Town match in the Northern Premier League at Springfield Park on Saturday 13th of November 1971. Latics won 4-1 with goals from Geoff Davies 2, Jim Fleming and Joe Fletcher. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic manager, Les Rigby, salutes fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final.

3. 1973

Wigan Athletic manager, Les Rigby, salutes fans at Springfield Park on Sunday 29th of April to welcome home the team despite losing in the FA Trophy final. Photo: Frank Orrell

Wigan Athletic fans at the fixture against Burton Albion in an FA Trophy match at Springfield Park on Saturday 2nd of December 1972.
Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Mickey Worswick 3, Paul Clements and Joe Fletcher.

4. 1972

Wigan Athletic fans at the fixture against Burton Albion in an FA Trophy match at Springfield Park on Saturday 2nd of December 1972. Latics won the match 5-0 with goals from Mickey Worswick 3, Paul Clements and Joe Fletcher. Photo: Frank Orrell

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