Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:48 pm  

Cruncher wrote:

One of the problems, I think, is that we are still haunted by what was basically a halcyon age.

The Gang of Four gambled on bringing the crowds back to Wigan by bringing in a galaxy of stars. The timing couldn't have been better because the huge crowds that had watched Boston, Ashton etc were still around, albeit still raw from the dog days of the 1970s when we put out poor teams and won very little. But they flocked back when the likes of Hanley and Edwards were wearing Cherry and White. Suddenly, Wigan was the centre of the RL universe again. We even beat the Aussies champions on their own pad. For a short time, the best players on Earth were coming to the UK. Not just to Wigan. The likes of Davies, Offiah etc going to our rivals, that overrated but very expensive Kiwi fullback to Leeds, etc. After years in the international doldrums, we were almost on a par with the Aussies again.

Ultimately, though, we paid the price. There were lots of reasons why we lost Central Park and fell into Whelan's grasp, but one of them was our overspending in previous seasons. Another price we had to pay was that it set a bar that was almost artificially high. Those fans who were there still remember that era and have had to judge everything that's come afterwards and found it wanting. I know a whole bunch of guys who used to stand with me at Central Park, who will not go any more because they consider that we offer substandard entertainment by comparison. IL is a very sensible administrator who cuts his cloth accordingly, keeps us afloat in dark times and continues to deliver silverware. He's the best chairman we've had during my lifetime. But for all these reasons, it's a safe bet that he will never go on the kind of mega spending splurges that Mo did ... and that will be enough to keep some people away. They're impressed by stars not value for money.

The end of Wigan's dominance also coincided with the arrival of lots of other attractions ... multiple entertainment platforms, DVDs, the internet etc. It's surely no surprise that other upsurges of enthusiasm, the likes of Bullmania at Bradford, turned out to be brief. I'm sure a lot of this lies at the root of British RL's many problems. There are just too many other things to distract the fans. To counter that you need a competition like the NRL, packed with big names and high-octane action. In that regard, the RFL's imposition of a strict salary cap could not have come at a worse time, but in an age when half the so-called elite-status clubs still can't even pay that much, what realistic alternative is there? I think now more than ever before, it is dawning on people just how skint British RL really is.

But all this is history now. When Covid is finally over, I fear we're going to have far more complex problems than trying to work out why people don't turn up for Cup semis anymore.

I dunno, werent out attendances a few years ago bigger than at CP? I still think a lot of it is price, if your not a season ticket holder and have a family of 4 it is nearly 100 pound just for enterance, thats a lot if you consider maybe you get a drink and a snakc for the kids while your in there, factor in if its on TV and I dont think it helps, TV is now the norm but back then it was in its infancy the weekly game on TV.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:55 pm  

I though this site was about Latics in administration and not about Wigan Rugby passed and present.
Any update what is going on with the Latics.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:36 pm  

Ashton Bears wrote: I though this site was about Latics in administration and not about Wigan Rugby passed and present. Any update what is going on with the Latics. Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 Wigan Athletic's administrators say there are ELEVEN parties still active in the race to buy the club, with SEVEN at an advanced stage. By Paul Kendrick More than 30 groups have come forward since the Spanish bidders dropped out at the beginning of last week. And of the 11 parties in the leading group: * Two have provided verifiable or certified proof of funds but not yet made an offer; * Two have provided offers that are acceptable subject to providing verifiable proof of funds and full details of proposed owners and directors; * Three have advised that proof of funds will be provided in the next few days. "We are in discussions with these parties and they are performing due diligence which involves reviewing documentation within the data room and making further enquiries to the administrators," read a statement. "Exclusivity has not been granted to any party and we have updated the EFL on the current position." The administrators also say they are 'in regular dialogue with Leam Richardson and Gregor Rioch in relation to the playing squad'. And they are 'in the process of issuing our statutory progress report to creditors for the six-month period to 31 December 2020. This will be made available to creditors and also filed at Companies House."

Ashton Bears wrote: I though this site was about Latics in administration and not about Wigan Rugby passed and present. Any update what is going on with the Latics. Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 Wigan Athletic's administrators say there are ELEVEN parties still active in the race to buy the club, with SEVEN at an advanced stage. By Paul Kendrick More than 30 groups have come forward since the Spanish bidders dropped out at the beginning of last week. And of the 11 parties in the leading group: * Two have provided verifiable or certified proof of funds but not yet made an offer; * Two have provided offers that are acceptable subject to providing verifiable proof of funds and full details of proposed owners and directors; * Three have advised that proof of funds will be provided in the next few days. "We are in discussions with these parties and they are performing due diligence which involves reviewing documentation within the data room and making further enquiries to the administrators," read a statement. "Exclusivity has not been granted to any party and we have updated the EFL on the current position." The administrators also say they are 'in regular dialogue with Leam Richardson and Gregor Rioch in relation to the playing squad'. And they are 'in the process of issuing our statutory progress report to creditors for the six-month period to 31 December 2020. This will be made available to creditors and also filed at Companies House."

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:12 pm  

MattyB wrote: Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 Let's just say there's no more than half truths in any of that statement

MattyB wrote: Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 Let's just say there's no more than half truths in any of that statement

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:57 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Let's just say there's no more than half truths in any of that statement

That much?

That'd be an improvement on previous statements by the admin jokers.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:13 am  

Well it was clear as mud.

11 parties in the leading group.

2+2+3 =?

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sun Jan 17, 2021 11:17 am  

Cruncher wrote:

One of the problems, I think, is that we are still haunted by what was basically a halcyon age.

The Gang of Four gambled on bringing the crowds back to Wigan by bringing in a galaxy of stars. The timing couldn't have been better because the huge crowds that had watched Boston, Ashton etc were still around, albeit still raw from the dog days of the 1970s when we put out poor teams and won very little. But they flocked back when the likes of Hanley and Edwards were wearing Cherry and White. Suddenly, Wigan was the centre of the RL universe again. We even beat the Aussies champions on their own pad. For a short time, the best players on Earth were coming to the UK. Not just to Wigan. The likes of Davies, Offiah etc going to our rivals, that overrated but very expensive Kiwi fullback to Leeds, etc. After years in the international doldrums, we were almost on a par with the Aussies again.

Ultimately, though, we paid the price. There were lots of reasons why we lost Central Park and fell into Whelan's grasp, but one of them was our overspending in previous seasons. Another price we had to pay was that it set a bar that was almost artificially high. Those fans who were there still remember that era and have had to judge everything that's come afterwards and found it wanting. I know a whole bunch of guys who used to stand with me at Central Park, who will not go any more because they consider that we offer substandard entertainment by comparison. IL is a very sensible administrator who cuts his cloth accordingly, keeps us afloat in dark times and continues to deliver silverware. He's the best chairman we've had during my lifetime. But for all these reasons, it's a safe bet that he will never go on the kind of mega spending splurges that Mo did ... and that will be enough to keep some people away. They're impressed by stars not value for money.

The end of Wigan's dominance also coincided with the arrival of lots of other attractions ... multiple entertainment platforms, DVDs, the internet etc. It's surely no surprise that other upsurges of enthusiasm, the likes of Bullmania at Bradford, turned out to be brief. I'm sure a lot of this lies at the root of British RL's many problems. There are just too many other things to distract the fans. To counter that you need a competition like the NRL, packed with big names and high-octane action. In that regard, the RFL's imposition of a strict salary cap could not have come at a worse time, but in an age when half the so-called elite-status clubs still can't even pay that much, what realistic alternative is there? I think now more than ever before, it is dawning on people just how skint British RL really is.

But all this is history now. When Covid is finally over, I fear we're going to have far more complex problems than trying to work out why people don't turn up for Cup semis anymore.

#



A very good assessment of the period in question, but times have changed as many people now are now more interested in things other than just going to game like they used to be in the past.

Sky Sports has created a catch 22 situation as on one hand they give the game money in the form of a financial contract, but on the other hand, many supporters have stopped going to games and now drink at home and watch the games on television which has also not helped the pubs and clubs.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:05 pm  

Ashton Bears wrote:

I though this site was about Latics in administration and not about Wigan Rugby passed and present.
Any update what is going on with the Latics.

Its not the Latic's that majority of Warriors supporters are interested in, but the future and ownership of the Stadium.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sun Jan 17, 2021 1:08 pm  

MattyB wrote: Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 And of the 11 parties in the leading group: * Two have the money but are not interested in purchasing a loss-making money pit. * Two have offered some money for a loss-making money pit, but haven't actually got any money. * Three are timewasting Walter Mittys who have neither made an offer, nor have a pot to p**s in.

MattyB wrote: Latest as at yesterday afternoon: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... en-3102508 And of the 11 parties in the leading group: * Two have the money but are not interested in purchasing a loss-making money pit. * Two have offered some money for a loss-making money pit, but haven't actually got any money. * Three are timewasting Walter Mittys who have neither made an offer, nor have a pot to p**s in.

Re: Latics in administration - Lenagan leading bid : Sun Jan 17, 2021 4:05 pm  

muttywhitedog wrote:

And of the 11 parties in the leading group:

* Two have the money but are not interested in purchasing a loss-making money pit.

* Two have offered some money for a loss-making money pit, but haven't actually got any money.

* Three are timewasting Walter Mittys who have neither made an offer, nor have a pot to p**s in.

Or, it could be rubbish