Source: TheGuardian
Back from the brink: takeover brings optimism back to ailing Wigan
After dark days and fears for the future, Wigan can see the light once more, says manager Shaun MaloneyIt may seem amiss to ask Shaun Maloney about pre-season optimism. As manager of Wigan Athletic he has, after all, had to contend with relegation, players and staff going unpaid, a winding-up order, a transfer embargo and “a two-to-three-week period where each day there was a big concern we might not be here the following day”. He also faces the ominous challenge of starting in League One on minus eight points. But one day in June changed the landscape vitally for Wigan and their determined manager. Optimism no longer feels such an inappropriate topic.Maloney was alone in his office at Wigan’s training ground when he received confirmation the club had been taken over, and saved, by a company backed by the local billionaire Mike Danson. “A massive relief,” says the former Celtic, Aston Villa and Wigan winger. “I was extremely happy that 200 people’s jobs had been saved, basically. The players got paid that night, the taxman was paid and the companies around Wigan were also getting paid for the work they’ve done for us. I was also extremely grateful to Mr Danson and his team, because they had to get through a lot of work in a short period of time. I’ll never forget that day.” Continue reading......read full article
