“Even before 2007, this half of a small island was the richest football country on earth. In 2005-2006 the Premiership's total revenue was about £1.4bn, 40 per cent more than its nearest rival, Italy's Serie A. That was before take-off. Now foreign television channels are sending so much cash that the Premiership is expected to take in nearly £1.8bn this season. Even the team that finishes bottom of the table (Wigan might be a good bet) will get £26.8m from TV. That's more than all of Argentine or Belgian football put together.” CountryMightEarthTogetherHalfTeamTelevisionFootballTvsSeasonsTablesBottomExpectedSoccerAnalysisIslandsCashCentsRevenueRivalsBelgiansWigan Author:Simon Kuper
“He lived in a fantasy world. There was not a day when he didn't add some Mickey Mouse story about a club that wanted him. First of all, he came in and told me that Arsenal wanted to buy him, then the next week it was Manchester Utd, then the next week it was Real Madrid. He made it clear that he did not want to be at the club so, in the end, there was only one thing I could do - send him to Wigan.” WorldWantFirstsMadeRealEndsStoriesWantedNextFantasyClearOne ThingWeekFootballAddClubsMade ItManagersSoccerMiceChairmanManchesterArsenalNext WeekMickeyMadridFantasy WorldsReal MadridWigan Author:Joe Kinnear
“It is a testament to the fundamental honesty of football that Israel, with nothing to play for, overcame Russia in Tel Aviv on Saturday. The sport has its faults, but this basic trust is the reason Wembley holds 80,000 and could take more and the track and field venue for the London Olympics will be reduced after the event to the same capacity as the home of Wigan Athletic.” ReasonPlayHomeSportsEventsHonestyFieldsFootballCapacityFundamentalsFaultsTrackIsraelLondonRussiaManagersSoccerOlympicsTestamentSaturdayAthleticChairmanVenuesTrack And FieldLondon OlympicsWigan Author:Martin Samuel
“Sir Alex, Mourinho, Wenger - none of them could have done a better job at Wigan than Steve Bruce.” DoneJobsAlexBetter JobsWengerMourinhoWigan Author:Alvin Martin
“Anyone who's seen the Wigan [League] players stripped has been faced with the raw truth of the matter... No time for male modelling, and even Princess Di would think twice about getting too close to that lot.” ThinkingHas BeensMatterPlayerMalesLeaguePrincessRugbyThink TwiceModellingRugby LeagueWigan Author:Colin Welland
“And Wigan Athletic are certain to be promoted barring a mathmatical tragedy” CertainTragedySoccerAthleticFunny SoccerWigan Author:Tony Gubba