Sam Morsy pens emotional open letter to Wigan Athletic fans

Captain fantastic Sam Morsy has written an open letter to the Wigan Athletic supporters outlining his reasons for leaving for Middlesbrough.
Sam MorsySam Morsy
Sam Morsy

The Egypt international took the unusual step after calling time on his four-and-a-half years with Latics, who turned down two bids before accepting his desire to leave.

"To the Wigan Athletic supporters, I wanted to take this opportunity to write to you to explain my decision to leave the club after five seasons at the DW Stadium," his letter read.

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"Many of those years have been as your captain – something I regard as one of the proudest achievements of my career – so I believe I owe you this explanation, especially given how you have always supported me and made me feel like a massive part of this family.

"The events of the last two months have been well publicised. They hurt me in an immeasurable way and I have felt all of the pain you have. We were building something really good here.

"I was so confident that we were going to bring success to Wigan Athletic as a Championship side this season.

"I had so much belief in this group of players and staff, so much so that even despite the 12-point deduction I felt we were going to be able to keep the club in the Championship.

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"Through the finest of margins, we just missed out and, like you, the players hurt so much because of that.

"I know how tough it’s been for you watching the manager and so many players leave the club in the last few weeks because I have felt exactly the same.

"All of the players who have left and many of the players that are still with the club deserve to be playing in the Championship or Premier League and that’s something we’ve all had to respect as we’ve seen it unfold.

"On a personal note, I have naturally had to consider my future. For my family, for my international career and for my own personal desire and ambition to play at the highest level.

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"I have been in regular dialogue with Leam Richardson and the administrators and informed them of my wish to fulfil my ambitions at the highest possible level, should suitable interest arrive.

"The administrators asked me to stay and turned down two bids for me in recent weeks but I am thankful they have now allowed me to fulfil my ambitions.

"It is with a heavy heart I will be leaving a place that has given me and my family so many special moments.

"I will always be thankful for that. You all send me messages of goodwill through the highs and the lows and I want you to know that your support has meant the absolute world to me.

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"I feel like part of this family and leaving it hurts so much, although I know the reasons for my departure are the right ones.

"I would like to thank Dave Whelan and David Sharpe for bringing me to the club back in January 2016 and also Paul Cook for appointing me as Wigan Athletic captain when he became manager in 2017.

"It’s been an honour and I have been so proud to play over 150 matches for this club, leading the club out and wearing the armband for the majority of those games.

"To the staff behind the scenes – many of whom I now regard as friends – thank you for all of your help and support since day one.

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"There are so many good people doing everything they can for the future of Wigan Athletic. The players receive lots of the praise when the team does well but there is such a massive effort from everyone involved with the club to bring success.

"These are challenging times and although it has been a long time since the team and supporters have been at the stadium together, I have felt and seen your hurt through social media and the messages I have received. It hurts me that this news will provide more sadness to many of you in this difficult period, though I hope you can understand my reasons.

"You are the club’s biggest strength and I know you will keep fighting to ensure your club enjoys better times soon.

"Thank you for everything, Sam."