I suppose we shouldn't be surprised with such naivety. Clubs have lost money hand over fist and if someone started watching Wigan after Whelan started bank rolling it, well, how would you know any different? I remember going to Springfield Park in pre season (I think) and pretty sure it was the year we got promoted to the Premier League and it was really awful. Grass verges for stands and just a couple of concrete steps as actual terrace and a main stand that was so narrow it only seemed to stagger the half way line by a few feet. Some of their fans nowadays will be unaware of what life was like before the 3 amigos were coaxed in to the fold. Of course, they won't necessarily regress back to such a low base, but it's clear that the club is in an absolute state considering they are without a buyer still after all this time and I think it will be quite a while til they flirt with the championship again. There are some decent sized clubs in League 1 all struggling to get out at the top end. While Wigan are trying their best to stay in it. A long road ahead. But hopefully they think its worth it for the joy of their indebted glory years.
Thing is though, it’s easy to know where you’ve come from. The internet is a wonderful source of info on such things. It’s like a post on the Hudders forum from a few days back claiming Barnsley are traditionally a 3rd tier club - someone must have put them straight and the post was removed, probably after consulting the internet to check Some fans don’t want to be in touch with the facts as it’s not glamorous, but as you suggest, once those bad days (that never existed) come around again you probably won’t see them for dust. There are some realistic ones amongst them though - I’ve got time for them, they probably knew this was coming.
I'd love to see them back in the Football league. Had some great away days there when I was younger. Including the infamous Carlton Palmer own goal that their tannoy man actually announced over the PA. Biggest cheer of the day.
Proper club living in the shadow of two big Manchester giants. I used to look forward to going there and sitting with the locals in the Pineapple pub. Rough as owt but cheap beer and that Manc humour lol
My second team, was born there, moved to Barnsley when I was 13 in '81, so I'm a glory fan really, picked the big team.
