Wigan Athletic F.C.

Wigan Athletic Football Club, nicknamed "Latics", is an English professional football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, that competes in League One, the third tier of English football. Founded in 1932, the club have played at the DW Stadium since 1999, which they share with rugby league club Wigan Warriors; since their foundation, they had previously played at Springfield Park.

The team were elected to The Football League in 1978, and competed in the Premier League from 2005 to 2013. They won the 2012–13 FA Cup, and have also won the Second Division, Third Division and are two-times winners of the Football League Trophy, along with numerous regional football competitions from their time as a non-league club. The club embarked on its first European campaign during the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.

History

Local leagues 1932–1978

Wigan Athletic was formed in 1932, following the winding up of Wigan Borough the previous year. Wigan Athletic was the fifth attempt to create a stable football club in the town following the demise of Wigan County, Wigan United, Wigan Town and Wigan Borough. Springfield Park, the former home of Wigan Borough, was purchased by the club for £2,850. Despite their initial application being turned down, Wigan Athletic were elected into the Cheshire County League following the resignation of Manchester Central. The club had also made the first of many attempts to be admitted into the Football League, but failed to receive a single vote. On 27 August 1932, Wigan Athletic played their first ever league game against Port Vale Reserves. The team played in red and white shirts with black shorts.