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Wigan family ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the passing of Pat Whelan

The Wigan family are ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the passing of Pat Whelan, the wife of former Latics and Warriors owner Dave Whelan.

The two clubs send their sincere condolences to the entire Whelan family after the extremely sad news of the passing of Patricia this week.

Tributes have flooded in on social media, with Paul Kendrick saying she was a constant figure in the directors box alongside husband Dave on a matchday over the years.

WIGAN ATHLETIC STATEMENT:

All at Wigan Athletic are devastated to learn of the passing of Pat Whelan.

The devoted wife of former Latics and Wigan Warriors owner Dave Whelan, Pat was an incredible human being who cared immensely about both Wigan’s sporting teams and the town itself.

Having sat beside her beloved husband in hospital after he broke his leg in the 1960 FA Cup Final, Pat and Dave would embark on an incredible journey together decades later as owners of Wigan Athletic.

Latics were at the bottom of the fourth tier when the Whelan Family took over in 1995 and saved the Club from extinction. Three promotions in the next decade led to the Club reaching the Premier League in 2005, and eight magical years followed for Latics in the top-flight of English football.

Punching well above their weight, Latics completed two remarkable Great Escapes and memorably lifted the Emirates FA Cup on that famous day at Wembley in May 2013. Pat and Dave were overcome with emotion as they watched their team defy the odds on the grandest stage of them all alongside their children and grandchildren.

After 23 years and a total of five promotions and seven trophies, The Whelan Family sold Latics in November 2018, ending an unforgettable era and leaving an amazing legacy behind.

It wasn’t just the performances on the field that had a profound effect on the Wigan community, as the Whelan Family also helped change the lives of thousands of Wiganers by supporting the Wigan Athletic Community Trust and helping fund the Wigan Youth Zone.

In recent years, Pat and Dave have been regular visitors to the Brick Community Stadium, supporting both Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors in their respective fixtures.

Pat will be sorely missed at Wigan Athletic, and her kind nature and warmth will always be remembered by everyone at Wigan Athletic, Wigan Warriors and the Community Trust
As we reflect on and celebrate Pat’s life, we ask that her family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time.

May she rest in peace.

WIGAN WARRIORS STATEMENT:

Wigan Warriors today send its sincere condolences to the entire Whelan family after the extremely sad news of the passing of Patricia, the devoted wife of former warriors and latics owner, Dave Whelan.

“Pat was an incredible human being who cared immensely about both of Wigan’s sporting teams and the town itself,” Wigan Warriors Chairman, Professor Chris Brookes said. “I want to offer my own personal condolences and also those of everyone connected with Wigan Warriors.

“I had the pleasure of Pat’s company on many occasions and know how committed she was to nurturing the strong connections between our Clubs and the community. She also had a strong belief in the power of sport to improve people’s lives.

“Her dedication to this and especially to Wigan Athletic was steadfast. Pat was also an extremely kind and generous person, and this came through in all her actions with myself and others.

“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with David and the family at this time.”

Pat will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her, and her kind nature and warmth will always be remembered by everyone at Wigan Athletic, Wigan Warriors and the Wigan Athletic Community Trust.

As we reflect on, and celebrate Pat’s life, we ask that her family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time.

May she rest in peace.

The Wigan family continued to pay tribute, being left ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of the passing of Pat Whelan…

@DonWAFC2: bloody hell what a horrible day

@IAmCK99: So very very sad. She was such an elegant and kind lady. Rest in Peace, Mrs Whelan.

@ScouseTicsmon: RIP Pat, thoughts go out to the Whelans 💙💙

@harveyo01: So sorry to hear this. Had many lovely chats with Pat over the years. Sending our condolences to all the family.

@SteT238: RIP. Once a Tic always a Tic. Thoughts are with Dave and David.

@CraigFarrimond: R.I.P Mrs whelan 💔

@jack_utft: what an awful day man, rest in peace Pat 🕊️

@Peteboy1977: Rest in peace x

@deank88: RIP, all the love to the Whelans

@basher5000: She was a wonderful person and mother , known her nearly 40 years and always took time to speak with me and never forgot my name , gutted 😞

@mattj_362: ah ffs, RIP. 💙🤍

@Leightonjj_: what the fuck is going on today? Rest easy Pat ❤️

@SteT238: Awful news. Aside from my condolences to Dave, David, and the whole family, my thoughts are with Roberto Martinez, too. Losing Jota this morning, and I am sure he would have had a great relationship with Pat, too, during his #wafc days.

@shoveyxxx: RIP Pat thoughts are with the family and friends at this tragic time 💔

@SteT238: Awful news. Aside from my condolences to Dave, David, and the whole family, my thoughts are with Roberto Martinez, too. Losing Jota this morning, and I am sure he would have had a great relationship with Pat, too, during his #wafc days.

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