If Manchester City’s defeat in the 2013 FA Cup final was only a brief setback in their pursuit of dominance under Sheikh Mansour, it became a defining achievement for Wigan Athletic. Latics supporters still cherish the memories of that remarkable afternoon at Wembley, even though Premier League relegation soon followed. Today, with Wigan at the foot of League One despite Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Reading, that famous cup triumph feels like it belongs to a distant era.
Perhaps understandably, the club continues to draw inspiration from its most successful period. Last season, Wigan rehired Gary Caldwell, their captain in 2013, for a second spell as manager. He had previously guided the team to promotion from League One in 2015-16. Caldwell’s decision to leave Exeter and return was considered a gamble because owner Mike Danson, who wants to sell the club, had provided him with a very limited budget.
Money remains extremely scarce at the Greater Manchester club, with attendances falling and losses accumulating both on the field and in the accounts. Local businessman Danson and his family rescued Wigan from liquidation in June 2023 after poor decisions by earlier owners resulted in a points penalty and relegation from the Championship. Three consecutive mid-table League One finishes brought some stability, but the team has declined sharply this season.
The Danson family has so far failed to secure a sufficiently ambitious buyer capable of moving Wigan forward. As a result, the club now faces the genuine threat of playing in the fourth tier for the first time since 1996-97. However, the win against Reading offered some encouragement. It was only Wigan’s second league victory of the season and came through Scott Hogan’s 71st-minute goal.
Caldwell praised the quality of some of Wigan’s football, as well as the spirit, resilience and determination shown by his players to protect their lead. He admitted the closing stages were tense and said the team must use the result as a foundation for improvement. Although many parts of their performance still require work, he believes winning can provide an important psychological lift and help the squad maintain confidence and commitment.
Leam Richardson’s appearance in the opposing technical area at the Brick Community Stadium gave supporters another reminder of more successful times. Richardson led Wigan to the League One championship in April 2022 but was dismissed seven months later, only 16 days after agreeing to a new three-year deal.
Caldwell has also faced growing scrutiny. Supporters have criticised the former defender for the team’s unadventurous approach, which has delivered only six goals in nine matches, the lowest total in League One. Wigan had gone 447 league minutes without scoring before the experienced Hogan found the net after substitute Christian Saydee’s cross was pushed into his path by Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira.
Wigan goalkeeper Joe Whitworth had to intervene several times as the hosts defended their advantage, but Caldwell’s side still deserved the three points and earned some much-needed relief. Those supporting the manager can reasonably highlight the club’s limited summer spending. The £1.5m received from Bristol City for Sam Tickle has not yet been used to strengthen the squad, leaving Wigan heavily dependent on young loan players.
Danson and other senior figures at the club have urged supporters to return to the Brick Community Stadium, hoping larger crowds will increase revenue and make Wigan more attractive to prospective owners. However, fans may understandably question why they should spend their money to watch football that has often lacked excitement and ambition.
Before the match, Caldwell acknowledged the urgent need to collect points and give supporters a reason to feel optimistic, allowing them to leave the stadium in a far more positive mood than they had after recent games.
The Scottish manager secured the result he needed against Reading, but instability behind the scenes remains evident. Sarah Guilfoyle unexpectedly left her position as managing director shortly before the new season began, ending a decade-long association with the club. Many supporters believe the ownership should receive most of the criticism. The Wigan Athletic Supporters Action Group wants Danson to explain why selling the club has proved so difficult and why investment remains limited. Others accept that temporary hardship may be unavoidable if it eventually produces lasting improvement, while most agree that a change of ownership could dramatically alter Wigan’s prospects.
Despite an uncommon victory over a Reading team that had arrived in good form, Wigan’s immediate difficulties are unlikely to disappear quickly. The club must now hope that one of the leading figures from its memorable 2013 campaign can achieve something extraordinary on the field while operating under severe restrictions away from it.
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