Club's original home is to be immortalised at DW Stadium
The club are delighted to confirm that The West Stand at the soon to be inaugurated DW Stadium is to be renamed as THE SPRINGFIELD STAND, in recognition of Latics' former home.
With the East stand to be named after rugby league legend Billy Boston, and following consultation with Latics supporters, Chairman and stadium owner Dave Whelan says he is very happy that the club's past can be incorporated into the club's current home.
Roberto Martinez also lent his support to the scheme.
"Everyone knows about my association with Wigan Athletic," says the manager, "and Springfield Park was really where it all began for me in England.
"I have some incredible memories of the place, I suppose the highlights for me were the night we won promotion in 1997 against Colchester, and then the Championship against Mansfield. But really, it was the place I grew up as a footballer. Great, great days."
Current Assistant manager Graeme Jones still holds the club's record for most football league goals scored in a season - 31 in 1996-97 - with 21 of those goals being scored at Springfield Park.
He said: "It was an amazing season for me, and in that respect Springfield Park will always hold very special memories."
First Team Coach Graham Barrow and Physiotherapist Alex Cribley are the other two members of the current coaching set up who are hugely associated with Springfield Park.
Barrow said: "I said when I rejoined Wigan how much this club means to me, and Springfield Park is a fundamental part of that feeling. It's where I learned my trade as a footballer, so I think it's fitting that the old place can still be a part of the new stadium."
Cribley is also pleased about the news saying: "I spent nearly 20 years at Springfield Park as a player, coach and physio," says Cribbers, "that's a major part of my life, and we had some fantastic times there. The club has moved on of course, but I am happy that we can remember the past in this way."
Originally opened in 1897, Springfield Park was home to cycling, racing and football clubs - Wigan United and Wigan Borough principally - before it became home to the newly formed Wigan Athletic in 1932.
It is difficult to sum up seventy years in a few words but the FA Cup game against Newcastle United in 1954 would be an obvious highlight, along with Harry Lyon's famous 'broken ankle' hat-trick against Doncaster Rovers. The league at last against Grimsby Town in August 1978 followed by our first League win against Rochdale September in 1978, promotion against Mansfield Town in 1982, the FA Cup win against Norwich City in 1987, winning the Division 3 Championship against Mansfield Town in 1997, and the last ever game, the Semi-Final Play Off against Manchester City in 1999.
Some great names to remember too: Billy Lomax, Harry Lyon, Ian Gillibrand, Graham Barrow, Colin Methven, Alex Cribley, Bobby Campbell, Kevin Langley, Peter Atherton, Roberto Martinez, Graeme Jones, Andy Liddell - to name just a few of many more!!
Pictured with Wigan Athletic Chairman Dave Whelan is Wigan Warriors legend Billy Boston (left) and representative of Latics' fans Mike Taylor (right)
