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Wigan fans rejoice at club being saved again with new takeover deal despite a late scare

Wigan Athletic fans rejoice at the club being saved again with a new takeover deal despite a late scare on the day of completion.

This is the second time in two yeas that the Latics, who will start the League One season on minus eight points, have survived the brink.

Wigan-born Mike Danson, who owns a 25% stake in the Warriors, is reported to be the new leader, a relief for fans with Wigan Today sources saying that the deal was still uncertain as late as Wednesday morning.

The desire for all parties – including stakeholders – of reaching a settlement has ironed out any remaining issues just hours late.

It means that Phoenix 2021 Limited’s 25-month reign is over and once again, those associated with the Greater Manchester outfit can just be glad they still have a club to support.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Wigan Athletic is delighted to announce the following update regarding the Club’s ownership:

A new company backed by Mike Danson has today completed the acquisition of 100% of Wigan Athletic Football Club.

All requisite clearances have been obtained from the English Football League “EFL”. A new board, along with a Chief Executive of the Club will be announced in due course. First Team Manager Shaun Maloney, will remain at the Club.

Funds have been paid into the Club to cover all outstanding debt. All players and staff will be paid immediately, along with other creditors.

The Club wishes to pay thanks to Mr Abdulrahman Al Jasmi and Mr Talal Al Hammad for their commitment to the sale process and for saving the Club from administration back in 2021. Thanks also go to Wigan Council, Lisa Nandy – Labour MP for Wigan – and the Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club.

Thank you to the EFL who have worked tirelessly under strict time constraints to ratify the sale.

A statement from Mike Danson said:

“I am delighted to become involved in Wigan Athletic Football Club. I was born in Wigan, I grew up locally and the community of the town is close to my heart.

“I want to recognise that the Club has a hugely important part to play in the local community, not just for players, but for fans, employees and all its suppliers, business partners and numerous community groups. We have worked hard to provide the EFL with a realistic financial plan to stabilise operations. We look forward to a fresh start for the Club and planning for the upcoming season.

“Many community and Club representatives including Lisa Nandy MP, David Molyneux, Executive Leader of Wigan Council and Alison McKenzie-Folan CEO of Wigan Council, along with the Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Club and the EFL, have worked extremely hard to bring about a positive conclusion to the Club’s recent troubles.

“Wigan Athletic and its fans have had a lot of uncertainty over recent years and the most important thing now is to give all stakeholders the opportunity to focus on the season ahead.”

Wigan Athletic First Team Manager, Shaun Maloney added:

“This news is fantastic for everyone associated with the Football Club and the town of Wigan.

“I want to pay thanks to Mr Danson and his team for all their hard work and perseverance. His vision and passion for the community have resonated strongly with all of us.

“I also want to pay tribute to the staff, supporters and of course, the players that have stuck with us through one of the Club’s most difficult times.

“We are all extremely confident of a sustainable and stable future and we are now excited to prepare for the 2023/24 season and beyond.”

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire tried to reassure Wigan supporters in days leading up to this that the High Court winding up order served against their club doesn’t necessarily mean the beginning of the end.

“It’s certainly not ideal,” he said. “But we’ve seen Southend United in this position six or seven times over the last two or three years.

“It’s indicative of the tax authorities running out of patience with non-payment.

“What tends to happen is that they get a pay off, and the issue gets kicked down the line, and it tends to repeat itself until you get new owners.

“It’s when clubs are taking the mickey.

“We saw that with Derby County, where they ran up an horrendous amount of unpaid tax.

“And HMRC do have a responsibility to the taxpayer, to look after the tax payer’s interests.

“If you have companies that are regularly late, coming up with lame excuses – and the excuses we’ve seen from Wigan’s owners in the last 12 months have been embarrassing – you end up in this position.

“The new owners, if and when they come in, would firstly have to pass the Owners and Directors Test.

“One of those issues is whether you can show you have a budget and the funds to pay for the club’s ongoing responsibilities, one of which would be clearing the tax debt.

“Which effectively would be money that will end up being knocked off the buying price.”

Twitter users reacted as Wigan fans rejoice at club being saved again with a new takeover deal despite a late scare…

@JimTheWanderer1: Great news for Wigan fans. No club should disappear, no players, staff, suppliers should be treated the way they have been recently and hopefully this will end it once and for all.

@DavidHa99965109: Brilliant news for Shaun Maloney and all the staff and player’s.

@mikedavidroby: Say we are billionaires say we are billionaires! We love you Mike Danson, welcome to the family 🚀🚀🚀

@seanoregan05: Record 24hr season ticket sales incoming

@joeh50: Football Club Athletic of Wigan are back in business baby

@Bootheyy17: Tell the horwich lot to send over some jelly and ice cream 👍🏻

@Latics_WN6: Honestly, brilliant news. A local man who will be present, understands the club and town and get us back to being a respectable club. If we can keep the bulk of the current squad, add some youth and get rid of deadwood on stupid wages.. could be a hell of a season. #wafc

@JackRourke15: Dansons managed what Al Jasmi couldn’t in 2 years, in an hour

@steveWAFC: Last time we had a wigan born owner we did pretty well , welcome Mike Danson to the tics family #wafc

@gazgaskell93: What a feeling, when were danson on the ceiling #wafc

@northwestsinger: What a bloody great day it is! Wigan Athletic are in the hands of a new owner and that Mon is Wigan born Mike Danson! I can’t explain how relieved and happy I am right now. Got a bucket full of beer to celebrate 🍺 I Still Believe 💙⚪️ #wafc #utft

@phil2828: Hallelujah 🎉💙

@Nathanpeel16: The tics are back get in

@joeflan91: I’m not saying a word until it’s official. However I have been messaging my dad with Danson’s net worth, got a bit giddy, cracked a can and had a victory wank #wafc

@MattttONeill: Aaaaaaand breathe….

@emwafc_27: Beautiful weather for some jelly and ice cream init lads? Lads?? 😮‍💨

@DanRodenby: Genuinely the best outcome we could’ve hoped for. A local billionaire suits a club like ours down to the ground – knows the community, understands what we’ve been through & expectation of fans. Delighted for staff/players – they’ve deserved better & a stable future. #wafc

@BWFCallmylife: Brilliant news , hope the rivalry continues footy is all better for it remember folks

@Natalie30163876: Brilliant news for you guys. Been keeping a eye on this keeping everything crossed u have a happy ending. Its looking very good. Keeping everything crossed.

@adamguest: Great news for you guys – hope they’re good eggs!

@wigan276: Everything crossed we’re heading into a long period of sensible, professional, stable ownership under someone who actually cares about the club and the town. #wafc

@ColinWalls11: We need as many fans possible to buy an season ticket and show Mr Danson we are serious about our club and don’t put all the onus on him to fund the club all the time. Thank you Mr Danson.

@BlueWhiteMan90: Finally got our man in , local man , business man and hopefully alot of vision , dont expect anything over night but maybe in time we can be a decent force again #UTFT #WAFC 💙🤍

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