Wigan reveal significant news over their future

Wigan Athletic, currently in administration, reveal significant news over their future as they hope to secure a deal to avoid a 15-point penalty.

The Latics’ administrators have announced an agreement has been reached with an unnamed Spanish bidder to purchase the struggling League One club.

Begbies Traynor confirmed a ‘substantial deposit’ has been handed over, while the bid also includes a payment to non-football creditors which saves the Latics will from a 15-point penalty in the ongoing campaign.

A statement on the club website said: “We are pleased to announce that we have reached agreement with a preferred bidder from Spain.

“The offer that has been accepted deals with not only the sale of the club but also allows the payment to non-football creditors to avoid the 15-point penalty this season.

“In addition, a substantial deposit has been received. We are now working with our lawyers and the bidder to produce all of the necessary paperwork to submit to the EFL so that successful transfer of the football share can be made at the earliest opportunity.

“The preferred bidder who has experience in football has made it plain that they do not wish for their details to be made public until such time as the sale is completed and we are respecting this anonymity. No further details will be released until EFL approval has been obtained.”

The Wigan Athletic Supporters Club said: “We are pleased to share the news that an unnamed bidder has now progressed to the next stage of exclusivity with the joint administrators. Although there remains a long way to go in this process, the Supporters Club has made contact with the bidder and we are currently in discussions regarding the future involvement of the supporters at Wigan Athletic, should their bid be successful.

“At this stage the bidder can not be named. However we will continue to keep you up to date with progress as often as we are able, and we hope to share more news regarding the next stages of the process over the coming days. From all the team at Wigan Athletic Supporters Club.”

Wigan’s incredible form in the second half of last season saw them climb clear of the bottom three in the Championship, but a 12-point deduction for entering administration in July led to relegation.

An initial deadline for a sale of August 31 was missed, but the club were given permission by the English Football League to start their campaign in the third tier, where they are on three points after as many games.

A crowdfunder to save the club is still up and getting plenty of donations, with the total currently sitting at over £670,000. They hope to hit their next target of £750k.

If you want to help raise some money towards the club’s survival, be sure to click HERE. See why you should by reading Wigan SC’s reasoning below…

Why pledge?

• Whatever the future ownership of Wigan Athletic, we want to bring our fans together to play a part, have representation on the club board, and HAVE A STRONG VOICE in the future running of our club.

• If no other bidders are successful, it’s critical that we are READY TO ACT in order to secure the future of Wigan Athletic. Not just a football club, but an integral part of our community that helps to improve thousands of lives across Wigan.

• Having reached our initial target of £500,000 we are now aiming to push our campaign as far as it can go – with our next target being £750,000. Each pledge will make our voice stronger, and for every pledge of £250 or more YOU will be rewarded with a place in our future.

• We are working with key partners including Wigan Council, Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Jonathan Jackson and other backers to be ready to act to save our club.

• This funding will be used to support the future of the football club with community-ownership and supporter representation and influence at the highest level.

• If we are unable to invest in the football club, all monies from this campaign are refundable. Monies will be held in escrow by Crowdfunder until we are able to invest the money in the club’s future or return all monies.

• It is important to note that these donations are for the club’s FUTURE and that funds from this Crowdfunder will not be used to pay any existing costs.