Embarrassed Wigan players vow to refund fans after 9-1 thrashing at Spurs
24 Nov 2009 - 02:26:04
Dejected: Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland let nine goals in at White Hart Lane on Sunday
Wigan Athletic's humiliated players last night did their bit to repair the damaged image ofcash-obsessed modern footballers by offering to refund the entrance money of fans who travelled to see their 9-1 capitulation at Tottenham on Sunday.
About 300 Wigan supporters made the 450-mile round trip to north London on Sunday only to see Roberto Martinez's side concede eight second-half goals.
Adult tickets for lower-tier 'Category C' games at Spurs cost £27.40 so the 16 Wigan players involved on Sunday are likely to stump up in the region of £500 each to refund the small but hardy bunch of fans who followed them.
Captain Mario Melchiot said: 'We feel we badly let down our supporters and this is a gesture to pay them back for their tremendous loyalty.
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'We were embarrassed by the way we performed. This is something we feel we owe to the fans.
'Now we have to draw a line under the game, focus completely on training this week and bounce back on Saturday.'
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan gave his full backing to Martinez andlaid some of the blame for the club's difficult season at the door offormer boss Steve Bruce.
Whelan said: 'I am sure Roberto will be working on the lads to get some pride back in Wigan Athletic.
'Steve made a few dodgy signings before he left Wigan and he(Martinez) has inherited those dodgy signings so I can't blame Roberto.
'He will pull this team around.'
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