Animal is a Ram Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Sky Sports News HQ @SkySportsNewsHQBREAKING: Dave Whelan quits as @LaticsOfficial chairman and appoints 23-year-old grandson David Sharpe. Wonder if this puts Malky Mackay under some more pressure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal is a Ram Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share Posted March 3, 2015 Club confirms that Dave Whelan is to step down from his position as Chairman of Wigan Athletic.I would like to say huge thank you."Dave WhelanDave Whelan steps down after 20 years as Chairman of Wigan Athletic.Dave Whelan to remain as owner of Wigan Athletic but to no longer be involved in the running of the club.Dave Whelan’s grandson David Sharpe to take over as Chairman of Wigan Athletic.Wigan Athletic have confirmed that Chairman Dave Whelan has resigned his position as Chairman of the football club, with immediate effect, putting an end to a glorious 20 year tenure in charge of the club. Mr Whelan’s grandson David Sharpe will be formally elected as new Chairman of Wigan Athletic by the Board of Directors at a date to be confirmed soon, and will be assisted in the running of the club by Chief Executive Jonathan Jackson. The Whelan family will remain as majority shareholders but Mr Whelan himself will no longer be a part of the day-to-day operations at the club. In a simple statement, Mr Whelan said: “The time has now come to hand over the reins. I am approaching 80 years old and spend an increasingly long time abroad, and cannot make it to games. It is a decision I have been mulling over for some years and I believe David is now ready. “Contrary to some suggestions, there are no plans to sell the club, which will remain in family hands and I have every confidence that David, along with Chief Executive Jonathan Jackson, will lead us forwards with wisdom. “In making this announcement, I would like to say huge thank you to the Board of Directors, all the staff at the club, and of course the wonderful supporters of Wigan Athletic, who have helped make the journey over the past 20 years such an exciting and memorable one.” Since Dave Whelan first purchased Wigan Athletic in February 1995, the club has grown out of recognition. It sat at the bottom of the old Fourth Division when he first arrived, playing in front of crowds of 1,500 at Springfield Park. Winning Football League Division Three in 1997 (the equivalent of League Two today) was the first major stepping stone, followed in 2003 – having narrowly missed out in the Play-Offs for three successive seasons between 1999 and 2001 – with the Division Two title (now League One). Promotion to the Barclays Premiership was achieved in 2005, where the club spent an amazing eight years, an era which included unforgettable victories against the very biggest names in England. The club reached the outstanding pinnacle of winning the FA Cup in 2013, and qualifying for the Europa League Group Stages, a personal wound healed for Mr Whelan after his career as a top flight footballer was effectively brought to an end in the 1960 FA Cup Final, playing for Blackburn Rovers. Mr Whelan describes the feeling of lifting the FA Cup at Wembley as ‘one of the proudest days of my life and I am so happy to have played a part in creating an unforgettable memory for all the people of Wigan.’ Under his tenure, the club also achieved the feat of reaching the Carling Cup Final in 2006, while the other trophy to be won during his time was the 1999 Auto Windscreens Shield. Last but certainly not least, Mr Whelan’s great gift to the club and the town will always be the magnificent DW Stadium, first opened in 1999 as the JJB Stadium, at a cost of some £30 Million. The personal spending of Mr Whelan at Wigan Athletic is incalculable, having backed a succession of managers over two decades in the transfer market, covered year-on-year debts from his own pocket, built the stadium, purchased and developed the current training ground at Christopher Park as well as our prospective new Academy and training facility at Charnock Richard. The club would like to officially place on record its immense and everlasting gratitude for everything Dave Whelan has done for Wigan Athletic over the last two decades. He has created a legacy that will last for many generations.http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/news/article/dave-whelan-resignation-chairman-wigan-athletic-march-2015-2309389.aspx#UAMQAaGUKro2iFkC.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaspode Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 It might well do - Whelan Snr had almost backed himself into a corner with his defence of the Mackay appointment - his grandson will be free to do whatever he thinks is best for the club (though at just 23, will he have a clue? (or alternatively will he just be a puppet doing what grandad (behind the scenes) tells him?)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I didn't know he broke his leg in a FA Cup final until I read that article, I wonder why he's never mentioned it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ambitious Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I don't think age is an issue; I'm 23 and know more than most of the clowns on here It's annoying by shear luck of being his grandson that he's now got his own football club, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozza Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I don't think age is an issue; I'm 23 and know more than most of the clowns on here It's annoying by shear luck of being his grandson that he's now got his own football club, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaspode Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I don't think age is an issue; I'm 23 and know more than most of the clowns on here It's annoying by shear luck of being his grandson that he's now got his own football club, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovis aries Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I don't think age is an issue; I'm 23 and know more than most of the clowns on here It's annoying by shear luck of being his grandson that he's now got his own football club, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimmu Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 23? Hope he has good advisors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaspode Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Nowt like blowing your own trumpet bighead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimmu Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 I tried blowing my own trumpet once, but I ended up with a stiff neck.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RamNut Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Its a damn shame to see him go.He should be Sir Dave Whelan by now, knighted for what he's done for cheap sportswear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Gonzo Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 its just Whelans new aesthetic logo. non racist and not 80 and all that.a back seat driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srg Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 He's appointed a Chairman the same as age as me... Well that's a tragic indictment on my current standing in my chosen career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastKentRam Posted March 3, 2015 Share Posted March 3, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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