March 19, 2024

About

For the uninitiated, Jesus really was a Wiganer.

He didn’t quite turn water into wine, but did hit the headlines in 1995 as a member of Wigan’s ‘Three Amigos’.

Jesus Seba, along with Roberto Martinez and Isidro Diaz, made the cross-continental trek from sunny Spain to murky Wigan as part of millionaire businessman and ex-Blackburn footballer Dave Whelan’s masterplan to conquer the Football League.

Though only Martinez proved a long-term success, it was a signal of intent from a side who were certainly going places.

In the next ten seasons, the club would embark on a scarcely believable meteoric rise to the Premier League, blitzing all in their path and giving the Wigan public something other than The World Pie-Eating Championships to cheer.

In 2010, things came full circle with Roberto Martinez back at the club, this time at the helm. The culmination of ‘Bobby’s’ reign was incredible FA Cup glory – in fact wait, I have to double check that actually happened… well, apparently it did.

But success came at a price, and the Championship beckoned.

Dave Whelan cycled through managerial ‘turkeys’ Owen C0yle and Malky Mackay before finally stepping aside for his grandson David Sharpe to assume the role of chairman.  His first major decision was to appoint Gary Caldwell, but by this time, Latics were slipping back to England’s third tier.