Putting aside. . .

Why?

 

Probably an error.

 

They have supporters clubs all over the world . They had great followings when they were shi it
And no I don’t think they are bigger than Man U or even Leeds for that matter but they are head and shoulders as regards fan base with Rovers.

 

I take your point. Colin Hendry and Jeff Kenna cost some right wedge

 

T

they did and I’m not knocking their history but when a club struggles to get 8 or nine thousand regularly because times are Barron they aren’t in no way s big club

 

Well that's a decent enough argument. They do have a good historical following.

 

I'm not disputing how ambitious they are. They've probably just broken their 2.5 million transfer record on Pinnock. Wigan are ambitious, but still a small club with poor support.

In my eyes they are a small club that's in a fair bit of debt, but are they the smallest club to lure one of our best players away.

 

Can’t argue with that but I have said all along they have a fine history with a good fair weather following but I think we could have matched it if history had been swapped tbh.

 

That doesn’t mean anything. Darfield Road Rangers have shown more ambition than us in recent years. They painted the goal posts and bought 6 oranges for half time. Yes!! Six. Even the Sub could have one and he hadn’t even played.

 

De zeeuw didn't leave because of Bassett..Arjan left because of John Dennis... Told by the big fella himself in a conversation I had with him years after he left Oakwell whilst I was working as a service cook on the Pride of Hull ferry. I recognised him whilst he was waiting for me to serve him.. To cut the story short how it came about having said to him.. Now then if it isn't the one and only Arjan De zeeuw.. He looked and said how do you know me... I replied what with you and Ashley Wards legs my mother was in heaven... He replied excitedly ( I kid you not) Barnsley.. are you from Barnsley..are you a Barnsley fan.. Oohh i loved that Town and the club... We chatted a little more He then arranged for me to meet him after I had finished work.. We met and he talked and talked for almost a hour.. During our conversation I said it was a sad day when he left.. He agreed it was sad because he was very happy at Oakwell... So I added suppose when a better offer comes in you grasp it and no doubt double your wages..
He laughed and said not in this case he openly offered up the following adding this is what really happened
Wigan offered him 150 quid more per week.. He asked JD if Barnsley could match it or come anywhere near it... Adding I loved it at bsly and didn't really want to leave but JD messed me around for a full week after telling me he would give me an answer in a couple of days... Most of the week I tried to contact him.. It got to the Saturday night and JD had been avoiding me all week.. Wigan phoned at Saturday tea time saying they needed an answer by Sunday morning or the offer would be withdrawn... ... AD then phoned JD Saturday night around 9pm and according to the man himself got a arrogant dressing down from JD for phoning him at a late hour and at home adding il speak to you when I'm good and ready not until and then hung up
Arjan came off the phone miffed that JD had spoke to him like he was something on the bottom of his shoe after he'd been told previously any problems don't hesitate to call me at home or work..
He then phoned his agent to get in touch with Wigan and to arrange the signing of the contract Sunday noon...
That lads and lasses is a true account of what I got told by the big fella himself...
I've posted this before and been accused of being wrong I've also been accused of telling porkies and dressing it up.. But I kid you not.. Word for word is what Arjan told me.

 

Very interesting if true. And I'm sure you have absolutely no reason to be making any of this up. However, surely the manager would have had some input into the situation as well?