|
Paul Jewell was appointed at the start of the 2001/02 season replacing Steve Bruce who had called in for a short time to replace Bruce Rioch who had replaced John Benson (with John Bond) who had replaced Ray Mathias who had replaced John Deehan.
And Jewell, given two years, did it in style as they won the 2nd Division last season by a massive fourteen points with a 1-0 home win against Barnsley on the last day of the season taking them to 100 points.
Jewell spent a lot of money in his first season bringing in the likes of Tony Dinning, John Filan, Nathan Ellington, Peter Kennedy and Jason De Vos but in the last year has got his cheque book out just the once to pay Peterborough £275,000 for Jimmy Bullard.
Everyone expected a rush of new players over the summer but former Bradford keeper Gary Walsh was the only new arrival coming in without a fee. This week though they have added to their squad with the loan signing of Portsmouth striker Mark Burchill. Still only 23 he had loan spells with Birmingham and Ipswich before signing for Pompey where he has never been able to establish himself in the first team.
Their first ever season at this level saw them go down to a 2-0 defeat at Millwall but last week they picked up their first point with a late equaliser from Lee McCulloch against Preston after Fuller had given North End the lead just two minutes earlier.
It was a game where Wigan always had the edge and certainly justice was done with the equaliser. Manager Paul Jewell said after the game,
"We played some excellent football and it would have been a travesty had we lost. We worked hard and showed our character after going behind and if we had possessed a bit more quality around the box then the three points would have been ours."
Wigan lined up:
John Filan, Steve McMillan, Ian Breckin, Nicky Eaden, Matt Jackson, Peter Kennedy (Paul Mitchell 90), Jimmy Bullard, Jason Jarrett, Lee McCulloch, Andy Liddle, Neil Roberts (Gary Teale 73). Subs not used: Gary Walsh, Magno Silva Vieira, Tony Dinning.
They are also through to the 2nd Round of the Carling Cup after beating Hull City 2-0 with goals from McCulloch and Jason Jarrett.
Past Results in the last 20 years
Season | Div | Ven | Result | Att | Scorers |
a | |||||
1983/84 | 3 | h | 3-0 | 7,458 | Flynn Hutchison Reeves |
a | 0-1 | 7,509 | |||
1984/85 | 3 | h | 1-2 | 5,235 | Biggins |
a | 0-2 | 3,517 | |||
1991/92 | LC | a | 1-3 | 2,826 | Conroy |
h | 2-3 | 3,876 | Patterson(og) Davis | ||
1992/93 | 2 | h | 0-1 | 9,154 | |
a | 1-1 | 4,032 | Deary | ||
1997/98 | 2 | h | 0-2 | 9,520 | |
a | 1-5 | 4,926 | Little | ||
1998/99 | 2 | h | 1-1 | 10,183 | Reid |
a | 0-0 | 5,528 | |||
1999/2000 | 2 | h | 0-0 | 20,435 | |
a | 1-1 | 11,986 | Payton |
This is the complete list of results between the clubs (League and two main cup competitions) since Wigan were elected to the Football League
.One from the past
Burnley 3 (Flynn Hutchison Reeves) Wigan Athletic 0
Football League Division Three – Saturday 29th October 1983
|
We had lost at Lincoln the week before and manager John Bond had promised changes but a look at the reserves in midweek gave us no clues. Due to a player shortage assistant manager John Benson lined up as a sweeper against Derby whilst we had former Bournemouth keeper Kenny Allen, on trial, in goal. Allen lasted just 20 minutes and winger Andy Kilner had to go in goal for the rest of the game as we drew 2-2 with Derby.
As always there was transfer news and we looked all set to sign Swansea’s Gary Stanley for £15,000 but an injury was delaying the deal whilst the move for Steve Daley had hit red ape in America.
One deal off was that of former Manchester United full back Jimmy Nicholl from Toronto Blizzard. After agreeing to sign for the Clarets he had a change of mind and signed for Glasgow Rangers.
Bolton had offered £15,000 for Derek Scott, Burnley wanted more and Bolton couldn’t afford to go any higher with manager John McGovern saying he would be looking elsewhere.
To the game though and this was without doubt one of the best games in the division all season as both teams turned in excellent performances in a match where both teams tried to attack throughout.
Burnley took the lead on 36 minutes when Derek Scott played the ball up to Kevin Reeves. He looked to play the ball to Billy Hamilton but switched and hit an inch perfect ball for Brian Flynn who hammered home.
Just six minutes later and it was 2-0 thanks to the genius of man of the match Tommy Hutchison. The left winger and captain got down the wing before cutting inside the full back and curling a shot into the far corner giving Wigan’s former Preston keeper Roy Tunks no chance.
But Wigan came storming back in the second half and only some superb play by the Clarets back four prevented them from pulling a goal back and with just 17 minutes left Wigan replaced their leading scorer and former Claret Steve Taylor with another former Claret Neil Bailey.
But it was all to no avail despite the superb left wing runs from future Claret Paul Comstive and we wrapped it all up in the last minute when Hutchison provide one last cross that was headed down by Hamilton for Reeves to volley home.
Bond’s team were really coming into some form and in the end were comfortable winners against an excellent Wigan side. It has though proved to be our last win against them.
The teams were,
Burnley (4-4-2): Roger Hansbury, Derek Scott, Vince Overson, Micky Phelan, Willie Donachie, Brian Flynn, Martin Dobson, David Miller, Tommy Hutchison, Billy Hamilton, Kevin Reeves. Sub not used: Andy Wharton.
Wigan (4-4-2): Roy Tunks, Alex Cribley, Steve Walsh, Colin Methven, Paul Comstive, Kevin Langley, Graham Barrow, Alex Bruce, John Butler, David Lowe, Steve Taylor (Neil Bailey 73).
Referee: A Saunders (Newcastle-upon-Tyne).
Attendance: 7,458.