PU PREVIEW 44: WIGAN ATHLETIC

Wigan Athletic was founded in 1932, following the winding up of Wigan Borough. It was the fifth attempt to create a stable football club in the town. The club purchased Springfield Park, the home of Wigan Borough, and was elected into the Cheshire County League. In the 1934-35 season, they defeated League side Carlisle United 6-1 in the first round of the FA Cup. After a spell in the Lancashire Combination, the club moved back to the Cheshire League in 1961. Wigan became founder members of the Northern Premier League in 1968. The club controversially applied to join the Scottish League Second Division in 1972, but in 1978 were elected to the Football League after numerous failed attempts. Wigan were promoted in 1981-82, but relegated back to the lowest tier in 1992-93. Local millionaire Dave Whelan purchased the club in February 1995 and the club moved through the divisions to achieve Premier League status in 2004-05. The following season, Wigan reached the League Cup Final but lost to Manchester United. The club won the FA Cup in the 2012-13 season, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the Final, and this won them a place in the Europa League; however, days later, the club was relegated. Wigan have also won the Football League Trophy twice, in 1985 and 1999. 

Wigan are nicknamed The Latics and managed by former Pompey boss Paul Cook. The club now plays at the DW Stadium (formerly JJB), its home since 1999. The ground is also leased to the Wigan Warriors rugby league side. Wigan finished 23rd in last season's Championship and were relegated.

Wigan and Pompey have met on eighteen occasions, the first coming in September 1978 when Pompey won 1-0 at Fratton Park. Pompey won the only FA Cup meeting, in January 2007. Of the seventeen League meetings, Pompey have won eight times, Wigan five and four were drawn. The clubs last met in August 2017 at the DW Stadium, the game ending 1-1.

(Information via Wikipedia and www.11v11.com)