West Stand gets a face-lift on Sunday

The DW Stadium's West Stand, now known as the Springfield Stand, will be labelled as such as Sunday's game against Fulham.

The stand was officially re-named 'The Springfield Stand' earlier this season, in memory of Wigan Athletic's former home Springfield Park.

Now, a little bit of the club's history is being allowed to live on into the future with the move to officially brand the stand.

Manager Roberto Martinez, himself a symbol of the club's past and future, showed his support to the scheme saying:

"Everyone knows about my association with Wigan Athletic, 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."