Fans of Wigan Athletic have been left a little confused after the club announced the launch of a new Wigan Athletic Women’s team, ahead of the 2024/25 season.
In a statement released by the club, it is currently working on securing a regular home for the Women’s team to play their fixtures on a Sunday, and trials for the squad will be held in May.
However, supporters have been quick to point out that a Wigan Athletic Ladies & Girls team has existed for more than two decades!
LukeChatt05 shared on X:
“So what’s happened with the women’s team then, because I’m seeing some tweets that Wigan have stopped partnering them but seen others that Wigan Athletic are making a new women’s team?”
Wigan Athletic have attempted to clarify the situation, and are hosting an open forum with fans next week at the DW Stadium.
Lancashire FA has approved the new women team’s registration within the football pyramid with the team’s league participation to be confirmed in due course.
Wigan Athletic Chairman, Ben Goodburn said:
“We are thrilled to launch the club’s first official Wigan Athletic Women’s team. Since we took ownership of the football club, enhancing football opportunities for women and girls in the town has been a key priority of ours.
“We will help provide the team with the resources, support and governance it needs to grow, and we are confident this investment will not only help the team but women’s football in the borough.”
Sporting Director, Gregor Rioch said:
“This is groundbreaking news for us at Wigan Athletic Football Club with our first-ever official women’s team and we are therefore really excited about the future”.
“The women’s game has progressed rapidly over the past 10 years and it’s really important we develop our own and give more opportunities to women and girls in the area.”
Latics fan, John Wigan posted:
Such good news about the #WAFC Women’s team, but I’m confused about the relationship between the old Wigan ladies team and Wigan Athletic, and why we created a new one instead of taking them on. Can someone please explain, I knew almost nothing of the other women’s team?
Matthew Rhodes, football commentator and sports editor at North Derbyshire Radio said on X:
“Very interested to see if Wigan Athletic will explain why the board has decided to cut all ties with Wigan’s women’s team after 25 years.
“Especially seeing as Wigan have dedicated an upcoming game to International Women’s Day.”
The Wigan Athletic Ladies & Girls team that has existed for the last 25 years is an independently owned team founded by Flo and Brian Mather in 1999.
The team was linked to Wigan Atheltic but that partnership has now ended with Wigan wanting to launch its own official women’s team.
Kevin Spencer, Chair of Wigan Athletic Women & Ladies said:
“Nothing really changes as far as we as a club are concerned. We will remain as Wigan Athletic Ladies & Girls; we will continue to grow and give the best opportunities to female players and at the highest level.
“For us, this has always been about advancing the level of football, irrespective of the recent gain in popularity of the women’s sport. This is why, first and foremost, I would like to thank our amazing players and their families, our wonderful sponsors, our committee members and the 35 volunteer coaches who make this Club very special.”
Wigan Athletic Ladies & Girls team are now in the process of creating a new club brand for the upcoming season. The club currently has 320 players representing age groups from U8 to Open Age football.
Fans will have the opportunity to talk to club officials about the new women’s team at an open forum on March 18 at the DW Stadium. Supporters can register interest by emailing: wafcwomen@wiganathletic.com