It’s never dull is it (c)
Understatement of the century that particular Wigan Athletic phrase.
Another twenty four hours, another episode of upheaval, another period of instability.
We should be used to them by now, but each time this happens the more damaging the feeling among the fanbase.
So let’s recap the latest episode. As regular readers will be aware, we’ve had a seemingly lacklustre summer on the pitch.
A strong start in the transfer market has led to a quiet July and start of August with Latics looking somewhat light for an assault on the League One promotion places.
The usual internet panic and it’s always the internet began before the World Cup group stages were even over.
This summer with the added drama of an on/off/never-actually-happening takeover to keep us in suspense.
That was mixed with some decidedly average pre-seaon friendly results and performances meaning a lot (some would say quite rightly) being extremely concerned for our lot.
That has been mixed with numerous accounts on social media presenting hearsay as fact and others even producing AI written articles indicating a takeover has been sealed and we were bringing Joe Taylor back.
All of this when it fails to materialise leads to a febrile atmosphere among the fanbase and who can blame them at being pissed off when these rumours turn out to be just that.
Thursday was slightly different though, that was a rumour that actually had some substance to it.
The latest in a long line of initiatives to try and improve the atmosphere at our cavernous two thirds empty stadium was a meeting with Sarah Guilfoyle and Gary Caldwell and season ticket holders.
Sarah wasn’t present at the Brick on Thursday evening and rumours circulated online that she had left the club.
These were confirmed on Friday morning and the announcement of the arrival of Anthony Cole-Johnson as CEO.
Sarah has clearly spent a long time at Latics, joining from spells at Accrington Stanley and Tranmere Rovers in 2018 she’s risen through the administrative ranks and taken on a vast number of roles within the club.
She was handed the managing director role following the first year under the ownership of the Danson family.
Her passion for Wigan Athletic has always shone through and in particular her role within developing the next generation of Latics fans, an approach that’s too often overlooked and undervalued.
Ironically when Sarah was handed that role alongside a returning Brenda Spencer many questioned the validity of her getting that role, as it was seen as a ‘cheap’ option by promoting from within.
Anthony Cole-Johnson or ACJ (as I’m sure he’ll enjoy being called) with the greatest respect to Sarah is in a different league experience wise (which is no sleight on Sarah, it’s simply a matter of age) his experience seems to sit on the income generation side of sport directorship.
But there’s no doubting his CV leadership roles at Sky, Bafta, Ospreys and Southampton among many others. He’s the kind of appointment if made back in 2024 many would have applauded.
Now because he’s replacing a popular figure it seems like it’s a negative move. Emotion needs to be taken aside in this situation and for us to look at it from a purely business decision.
The accompanying statement goes on to say how growth off the pitch has slowed in recent seasons and that the performance of the men’s first team hasn’t met expectations.
Lucas Danson (conspicuous by his absence in recent weeks) goes on to say that Anthony can improve these things.
The fact that the performance of the first team brings in to question whether this was solely a business decision.
Sarah and the recently departed Gregor Rioch were behind the managerial changes of the last 18 months from Shaun Maloney to Ryan Lowe and Ryan Lowe to Gary Caldwell.
Are we to surmise that the ownership didn’t agree with one or two of those decisions? Either the sackings or the subsequent appointments.
I’ve no solid knowledge I’m just playing devil’s advocate.
But of course this all comes down to money and Wigan Athletic have got precious little of that at the moment. With the increasing focus of the income generation rules from the EFL this year you can see why the club are desperate to turn that side around.
Again though with the stadium and presumably it’s earnings now in a separate legal entity one would presume that cash spent in the Brick doesn’t actually go back in to the clubs coffers (although indirectly by the owners continued subsidising of our losses)
So Anthony Cole-Johnson will speak to the fans at a fans forum next month. It’s a huge task for him to turn this ship around and without an increase in cash injections from the owner there’s only so much he can do.
One would hope that the manager, sorry head coach is aware of these changes and happy with them.
It feels at least the power on the football side has consolidated with Caldwell, that I suppose is something.
I think this also tells us the fantastical stories of takeovers being around the corner are at best wide of the mark and at worst completely fabricated.
Though a change in our financial position could well encourage more bidders to show themselves.
I’m still minded to believe that the owners have genuine reasons for what they’re doing (whether I agree with them or not) but they need this next move to pay off.
Anymore missteps and a battered and bruised fan base will certainly make their feelings known.
All of this on the eve of the new season. As Earth, Wind and Fire sang. ‘Happy Season(s)’
SUBSCRIBE TO THE PIE AT NIGHT PODCAST
We promise you that it’s easier to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t have to rely on us to remind you when a new episode comes out.
Apple sorts can find it on iTunes here – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-pie-at-night-podcast/id1097853442?mt=2
If you prefer a different podcast app then just search for “The Pie at Night Podcast”.
You can also find us on Stitcher, here – http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-pie-at-night-pocast/the-pie-at-night-podcast
If you’re that way out, you can find and subscribe to our RSS feed here – http://feeds.feedburner.com/thepieatnight
And if you just want to take pot luck then you can find all our episodes on our Soundcloud page
