Quote: DannyT "There are plenty Latics fans with sense (just as there are rugby fans) so the little petty jibes only put you on a par with the minority who are entrenched. I’m glad to see the conversation has at least turned back to what I said a few pages ago that all roads lead back to Whelan anyway. The chief executive running Latics at the moment and the UK-based team are fully aware of the rugby and its history believe it or not. Using the easy trope of the Bahrainis being fed only lies by Latics fans simply isn’t true, not least because I’ve spoken to Mal Brannigan (chief executive) a good few times so at least I can guarantee one voice (and some family members) have explained the good (and bad) of how the relationship has been in the stadium for the last 22 years. Can only go at the moment on face value about what is being done behind the scenes and the plans they’ve laid out but as I’ve said previously, I hope it is all amicable in the end.'"
Being realistic mate, I think there are some, and i know personally of a few decent level mined Wigan latics fans. That said, there are huge swathes of their fanbase (much more than there are not IMO) who are pretty unintelligent and carry a ridiculous chip on their shoulder. It was demonstrated perfectly in the position they adopted against the administrators, and the ongoing feud with Wigan RL which there is no real substance or grounds for.
You only need to look at social media sites such as the twitter and facebook accounts of Wigan today and Wigan Athletic etc to see it.
Thousands of unnecessary and ridiculous anti rugby statements spoken as fact which are never replicated or voiced by Rugby fans against the football. Idiots claiming that rugby fans reveled in their administration and wanted the club dead, when a quick look on forums like this demonstrate that rugby fans overwhelmingly wanted the best for them, despite many of us not carrying much interest. Most strikingly, look at the comments from large parts of the fan base across social media channels and fans forums when their savior was confirmed....there were as many ''right now kick the rugby out'' comments as there were of jubilation and relief! Many are as obsessed about us as they are with the success of their own team.
There are definitely those on both sides who are petty and childish mate, I am not denying that Wigan RL saldy have them, but the difference is they are in the minority within our fan base and are often called out and challenged, yet much the opposite in the blue half of the town.
IMO the roads do actually lead back to Lindsay in the 80s, yet the ridiculousness of that is that ONE crass comment from over 30 years ago causes so many latics fans such issue! Who really cares, it has had no impact upon where either of the clubs are today and is completely irrelevant.
You are right that whelan has done much more damage to both of the clubs in more recent times, including stoking the fires though. Yet you can't say that in the blue half of the town, he is still a demi-god! As for the other comments - I wasnt aware they had a UK based team effectively running the club. If that's the case it reduces some of my concerns that there may still be some voice of reason within the Latics camp. But the actions of blue seats, removing the name of a wigan (NOT rugby or football) legend off the stand, and screwing the rugby club for every bit of rent possible seem to be provocative actions IMO which are led by the new owner (Talal?) and encouraged by a significant number of their fans
