Wigan Athletic guest column - Gary Roberts

That’s the fifth one now for me personally, and it’s every bit as special as the others.

I’ve been asked to compare them, but the most important one is always the next one!

Maybe I haven’t played quite as much football this year as in previous seasons, but it’s still sweet.

When I signed for the club last summer, you only had to look at the squad and see it was one built for promotion.

Obviously they were relegated from the Championship at the end of last season and were hurting.

But all the top players remained and they looked very strong.

The celebrations at Fleetwood were brilliant, and it carried on into Wigan town centre that night.

It seemed a pretty quiet night actually, until you start looking through all those videos on social media!

But listen, Griggy in particular has done great, and as soon as that song comes on you know what’s coming!

The whole town goes mad, and it was great to be able to share that moment with the Wigan supporters.

It’s why you play football, and it makes all the pain and sacrifice worthwhile.

We were back in on Monday, ahead of the game at Bristol Rovers, and we’ll be working hard until the end of the season.

The gaffer’s not one for letting up...he’ll be desperately wanting to end the season with the title, and the lads are on it.

As a club it’s great to get promoted, but as a player you want to win stuff, you want to win medals.

It might only be League One, but when you’re 50-60 years of age it’ll be nice to look back on and be proud.

On a personal note it’s been a great season for me on the pitch.

I feel so fit and fresh...I’m not ready for it to end!

Every time I’ve come into the side, I feel I’ve contributed.

We’ve not spoken yet about a new deal, even though my contract’s up in the summer, but I’d love to stay.

If the gaffer wants me to stay, I’m sure we can definitely sort something out.

I love this place, I settled straight away and it’s a great bunch of lads.

Sometimes at the top clubs, you find egos.

But there’s nothing like that here.

Our dressing room is so open, the lads are so close, there’s no bad eggs.

The gaffer wouldn’t stand for anything like that – it’s probably his pet hate, big-time egos.

Even someone like Nick Powell who’s played at the very top level, he’s just down to earth.

And I think that’s helped to get us to where we are today.

It’s also been great to be able to share another promotion and more success with the gaffer.

Having worked with him at Accrington and Chesterfield as well, he was one of the main reasons why I followed him from Portsmouth last summer.

And I’ve never doubted the decision for a minute.

They say if it’s not broken then don’t fix it!

It’s amazing how much success me and the gaffer have shared...and long may it continue!

Gary Roberts was speaking to Paul Kendrick