Wigan fail to sell their allocation of FA Cup final tickets

[Luka Van der Bale]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22097080

Unbelievable.

 

[Dougal]

But is it? They are a small rugby loving town with little away support, the cup is not the priority over league survival and as they are up against lower league opposition with the more glamorous final weeks away it might be worth saving a trip to rip-off Wembley for The Big One.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

But is it? They are a small rugby loving town with little away support, the cup is not the priority over league survival and as they are up against lower league opposition with the more glamorous final weeks away it might be worth saving a trip to rip-off Wembley for The Big One.

They might not have the big one though. For a team like Wigan a trip to Wembley should mean everything.

 

[gregga]

The sooner Wigan get relegated and replaced by a proper football club the better.

 

[LSUY]

They might not have the big one though. For a team like Wigan a trip to Wembley should mean everything.

If you could only afford to go to one match which would you choose: a semi final against lower opposition that you're expected to beat or the final against one of the best teams in the country, which if you win will not only be the greatest moment in your club's history but also one of the biggest FA Cup final upsets of all time.

 

[Syn_13]

The sooner Wigan get relegated and replaced by a proper football club the better.

Bit harsh really. Are you basing that on style of football? They actually try to play the ball and aren't completely physical, attritional side like Stoke are. I think Martinez has done the best job he can with what he's got. If you're basing that on because they're constant relegation fodder - well that again is due to limited funds, a comparatively small fanbase and that they're not a fashionable club as they're small fry.

 

[E17yid]

The sooner Wigan get relegated and replaced by a proper football club the better.

It's strange. I like martinez and the football they play so I should prefer they stay up but I agree with you, I'd rather a forrest or even Leeds to get promoted, not that that is likely.

 

[UncleBuck]

Semi's shouldn't even be played at wembley as far as I am concerned, has taken so much away from the final that I can't even remember the last time I watched one!

 

[Shea]

Semi's shouldn't even be played at wembley as far as I am concerned, has taken so much away from the final that I can't even remember the last time I watched one!

I totally agree, Wembley should be reserved for finals.

Though I loved it when we played Arsenal at Wembley with Gazza's freekick

 

[ernie78]

This doesn't surprise me in the slightest. When Wigan got promoted me & a mate got tickets for their first home game (against Chelsea the then Champions). The Friday before another mate said she wanted to come, I thought she wouldn't have a chance of a ticket but I was wrong, she got one on the gate 30mins before kick off. £17 too!! If you can't get a sell out for your first ever Prem game against the champions at £17 a ticket you are never getting a full stadium.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

The sooner Wigan get relegated and replaced by a proper football club the better.

Interested to know what you think is a proper football club?

 

[Riandor]

Semi's shouldn't even be played at wembley as far as I am concerned, has taken so much away from the final that I can't even remember the last time I watched one!

I agree, but which neutral ground do you then pick?
I would like the Millennium Stadium I guess, but does it fit in with the scheduling, who controls it English or Welsh FA (I assume Welsh but is it the FA even?!). That in turn raises profitability questions as the English League's FA CUP would want the revenue.

Old Trafford or other such stadium, these clubs are not going to have their stadiums and pitches used in the final run in to deciding league titles etc... plus you have issues of scheduling and picking available stadiums should say Man Utd qualify and thus have to have match elsewhere.

Not saying these issues can't be solved, but it is in the end obvious why they choose Wembley.

 

[Blackcanary]

Semi's shouldn't even be played at wembley as far as I am concerned, has taken so much away from the final that I can't even remember the last time I watched one!

Plus you end up with stupid situations like Liverpool v Everton last year, with everyone having to decamp to Wembley. So daft...

 

[Riandor]

Plus you end up with stupid situations like Liverpool v Everton last year, with everyone having to decamp to Wembley. So daft...

Maybe they should be played in LA or somewhere in Asia to increase the global brand of the EPL!!!

 

[stonecolddeanaustin]

Not only is there the fact that they love their rugby league up there but that area will also be full of glory seaking Man U fans. Their (and now City to add to that) success gives the likes of Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn very little chance of attracting new fans (apart from those who are brain washed into it by their dads). The uncompetitive nature of the premier league really is turning into a viscous circle and will kill off these sort of clubs one day.

 

[E17yid]

Not only is there the fact that they love their rugby league up there but that area will also be full of glory seaking Man U fans. Their (and now City to add to that) success gives the likes of Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn very little chance of attracting new fans (apart from those who are brain washed into it by their dads). The uncompetitive nature of the premier league really is turning into a viscous circle and will kill off these sort of clubs one day.

I'm sure a lot of wigan rugby fans will be glad to see the back of the football if Wigan do go down the leagues

 

[Misfit]

Don't understand the animosity for Wigan personally. The fans that do go and watch the team are few and far between. Just imagine what it is like in that area. Pool, Yanited, Citeh, Everton plus a host of other clubs within spitting distance with a better pedigree than Wigan. You could throw a towel over the whole lot.

I'm certainly not going to point my finger at the 10K/15K regulars who still support their club and spend money watching them in that environment and express anything but my admiration for their fortitude and commitment.

It tells you something about the journey the club and the fans have taken that they haven't attracted swarms of day-trippers since being promoted.

The only crime I can see here is that they aren't a big club with a mahoosive fanbase. Hardly a crime eh?

 

[Misfit]

Not only is there the fact that they love their rugby league up there but that area will also be full of glory seaking Man U fans. Their (and now City to add to that) success gives the likes of Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn very little chance of attracting new fans (apart from those who are brain washed into it by their dads). The uncompetitive nature of the premier league really is turning into a viscous circle and will kill off these sort of clubs one day.

Yes. Not a new phenomenon but it's very stark these days. Also a little disappointed at the opprobrium and sneering it has seemed to attract from other fans.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Don't understand the animosity for Wigan personally. The fans that do go and watch the team are few and far between. Just imagine what it is like in that area. Pool, Yanited, Citeh, Everton plus a host of other clubs within spitting distance with a better pedigree than Wigan. You could throw a towel over the whole lot.

I'm certainly not going to point my finger at the 10K/15K regulars who still support their club and spend money watching them in that environment and express anything but my admiration for their fortitude and commitment.

It tells you something about the journey the club and the fans have taken that they haven't attracted swarms of day-trippers since being promoted.

The only crime I can see here is that they aren't a big club with a mahoosive fanbase. Hardly a crime eh?

Not a crime no, and I bear them no ill-will. But I'd rather teams with a good travelling support in the Premiership. When teams turn up to the Lane with a handful of fans and a dog it ruins the atmosphere a bit and I'd much rather see a Leeds, a Birmingham City or even a Sheffield Wednesday in there than Wigan.

Mind you I'd still prefer Stoke to go down. Give me poor support over dogshit football any day of the week.

 

[stonecolddeanaustin]

Yes. Not a new phenomenon but it's very stark these days. Also a little disappointed at the opprobrium and sneering it has seemed to attract from other fans.

Just imagine following them. They get a half decent player in Victor Moses and just like that he gets snapped up to sit on Chelsea's bench. Soul destroying really.

And as you say, it's been going on for years but it's just getting worse and worse now. Bloody Sky and the Champions League!