Warriors boss Shaun Wane's praise for Wigan Athletic stars

Their DW Stadium stable-mates beat Doncaster 1-0 to wrap-up the title in style and celebrated their return to the Championship with a party at Wigan park yesterday.

“It’s massive,” he said. “I’m the proudest Wiganer you can imagine.

“What they have done this year - including beating Man City in the FA Cup - has been great to see.

“I’m a real Wiganer and I wish everybody could get together and support each other’s sport.”

Wane, though, knows there are of sections of fans from both clubs who aren’t as supportive - something which he wished he could change.

“It disappoints me,” he said. “One of the best memories of my coaching career was when we beat Hull at Wembley in 2013, we drove back here and Latics had a game. We walked on the DW field with the Challenge Cup at half-time and the fans were on their feet – that was one of the most emotional and proudest moments of my career.

“It’s up there with when we went to Wembley, watching all the Wigan fans stand up applauding the team. When they won the FA Cup I sent messages to Dave (Whelan) and all the staff as well, I was so proud of what they did so I just wish... we’ve got a lot to be proud of in this town, I just wish that we more supportive of each other. And I mean both ways, I’m not saying it’s one-way. I want to support everything that Wigan does.

“If there was anything I could do to make it happen, I would do it.”

Meanwhile, it appears Ian Lenagan will face some resistance in his push to drive though major changes to the Super League structure and the way clubs are funded.

Lenagan and representatives from all the Super League, Championship and League One clubs met a week ago to discuss plans.

Bradford chairman Andrew Chalmers, writing in the Telegraph and Argus, said: “I was surprised to see revealed a number of ideas for what was in essence Lenagan’s thinking on various issues.”

He continued: “Lenagan’s desire to have resources or executive authority transferred from the RFL to the control of the Super League clubs, including funding and manpower, drew ZERO support from the floor, and this is an important message to the game’s decision makers.”

Lenagan revealed in his programme notes on Friday he will also push for a stronger reserves set-up as part of any changes.