It was a mixed fortune for Wigan Athletic Football Club in the 2012/2013 season when the club was relegated from the EPL shortly after winning the Football Association Cup.
Managed by Roberto Martinez, the club dazed all football watchers when against all odds went ahead to win the trophy after defeating Manchester City at the final.
However, the 2012/2013 FA Cup was not the first time the club was having a feel of football honours as it finished as champions of the Cheshire League during the 1933/1934 season. That victory was soon followed by another when it won the league championship.
Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, which makes it one of the youngest clubs in the English league. Its formation came shortly after the winding up of Wigan Borough a year before.
Wigan, whose home jersey is the famous blue and white stripes; was bought in 1995 by millionaire Dave Whelan, the famous owner of JJB Sports.
Determined to maintain its status in the top echelon of English football, the club appointed one of its former players as manager. Roberto Martinez became the club’s manager during the 2009/2010 season, and recorded one of its biggest wins ever by beating Chelsea 3-1. During the Martinez’s reign as manager, the club battled for relegation, won the FA Cup against Manchester City, and eventually got relegated the same season.
The club set an unwanted record in the 2012/2013 season when it became the first team to be relegated after winning the FA Cup. The club’s relegation to the lower league left bad taste in the mouth of some of its key players and manager as it was hit by departures—notably that of Roberto Martinez.
The DW Stadium where the club plays its home matches, has a capacity of 25,138.
Some of Wigan’s key players include:
• Tim Chow
• David Perkins
• Sam Morsy
• Max Power
• Reece James
• Lee Nichols
• Jordan Flores
• Reece Wabara
