Quote: apollosghost "Was it on here I read Latic's previous owners had sold the concourse rights to Sodexo for a lump sum ? I'll suppose we'll find out in due course if MD has bought out that contract and we're actually generating some cash from food/drink sales at the ground. Also got it in the back of my head that where a ground share is in operation there's some football league rule about the football club being the senior partner ? Couldn't care less who's name is on the top line of the address as it's pretty clear that's just a box ticking exercise now.'" https://uk.sodexo.com/media/news-room/s ... tment.html

Quote: apollosghost "Was it on here I read Latic's previous owners had sold the concourse rights to Sodexo for a lump sum ? I'll suppose we'll find out in due course if MD has bought out that contract and we're actually generating some cash from food/drink sales at the ground. Also got it in the back of my head that where a ground share is in operation there's some football league rule about the football club being the senior partner ? Couldn't care less who's name is on the top line of the address as it's pretty clear that's just a box ticking exercise now.'" https://uk.sodexo.com/media/news-room/s ... tment.html

Because it all depends on what is registered at Companies House and how.

It bares little relevance when the same individual owns both apart from for tax purposes.

I know that, are you telling me that the DW is in the ownership of Latics? If it is, what name is on the register at Companies House?

It was under Phoenix 2021 I believe but not sure how Mike Danson has listed it and what his plans are for the rugby club legally, hence the post.

They've always owned the stadium lease either through an umbrella company or directly linked to the club.

Fair enough but I can categorically say they no longer own the DW.

So has MD listed it as a new company then?

I believe any Premier League club that ground shares has to have a clause that their fixture takes priority. It was that clause that made us play a playoff home game at Widnes on a Friday night when the Latics were at home the following afternoon.

There are no such clauses for EFL clubs, some of whom (Coventry for example) have been the junior partner in a groundshare arrangement.

Considering he's supposed to be a Wigan sports reporter, he has a long track record of mostly ignoring the rugby for the football, even during this period in which Latics have been about as close to bringing honour to the town as Putin is to demonstrating statecraft. Serious Wigan sports fans should pay no attention to him whatsoever.

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Not his biggest fan, but Kendrick is a rugby fan. Writing about Wigan rugby isn't his job though so you wont see many articles with his name on

Interesting.

Said for years that the ownership should be 50/50 with both clubs able to do what they want on match days to try to improve their income and they live and die by their own sword on that sense.

You'll never get the majority of fans singing from the same hymn sheet but if the back office staff of the two clubs can then it will only benefit both.

Best wishes Ian - you've done a brilliant job and thanks for being so kind and friendly when we've spoken.

Re the stadium, Danson and the Latics - it'll be interesting to see how things develop. It would be nice to see the DW, it's facilities and it's hospitality get a bit of an uplift and to have a little more cherry and white around. I hope as well though that over time there perhaps won't be as much ill feeling between the two clubs - it's ridiculous. From the constant digs about the town 'turning blue' to threats around the stadium to constant and bizarre attendance references - it's all a bit boring. There's been more than enough ammunition to fire their way over the last few years and I'm sure some Wigan RL fans including myself have done so at times. But put it to one side now, support your club and feel happy for any success that Wigan have. If I'd have gone through school with the clubs on good terms I've no doubt I would be a Latics fan as well. There'll be plenty more like me so the ill feeling is only hurting both clubs.

I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/

I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/