During the 2002–03 English football season, Wigan Athletic F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.
Despite a disappointing previous season, it was felt that the club still had a strong squad. The Guardian and The Times both predicted that the club would finish 2nd in the league.[3][4]
Player | Position | From | Fee | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Michael Flynn | MF | Barry Town | £15,000 | 21 June 2002 | [5] |
Ian Breckin | DF | Chesterfield | Undisclosed | 25 June 2002 | [6] |
Nicky Eaden | DF | Birmingham City | Nominal | 20 October 2002 | [7] |
Richard Edghill | DF | Manchester City | Free | 22 October 2002 | [8] |
Dave Beasant | GK | Bradford City | Free | 28 October 2002 | [9] |
Jimmy Bullard | MF | Peterborough United | £275,000 | 31 January 2003 | [10] |
Player | Position | To | Fee | Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stewart Kerr | GK | Retired | 27 September 2002 | [11] | |
Richard Edghill | DF | Sheffield United | Released | 22 January 2003 | [12] |
Dave Beasant | GK | Brighton & Hove Albion | Free | 30 January 2003 | [13] |
Lee Ashcroft | FW | Southport | Released | 6 February 2003 | [14] |
Scott Green | DF | Wrexham | Released | 14 February 2003 | [15] |
Kieran Charnock | DF | Southport | Free | 18 March 2003 | [16] |
Ian Pendlebury | DF | Leigh RMI | Free | 19 March 2003 | [17] |
Player | Pos | To | Date | Duration | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lee Ashcroft | FW | Port Vale | 9 October 2002 | One month | [18] |
Lee Ashcroft | FW | Huddersfield Town | 9 December 2002 | One month | [19] |
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Scorers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
16 July 2002 | RBC Roosendaal | A | 0–0 | ||
18 July 2002 | TOP Oss | A | 2–1 | ||
24 July 2002 | Morecambe | A | 0–0 | ||
25 July 2002 | Burscough | A | 4–1 | ||
27 July 2002 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 2–2 | ||
30 July 2002 | Walsall | A | 2–0 | ||
3 August 2002 | Preston North End | H | 1–1 | [20] |
Between 2 November and 18 January, the club won a record 11 consecutive league games.[21] Goalkeeper John Filan set another club record during this run of games by keeping eight clean sheets in a row.[22]
The club secured promotion with four games to spare on 15 April when their closest rivals, Crewe Alexandra, dropped points against Bristol City.[23] This was the first time in the club's history that Wigan had been promoted to the second tier of English football. The club went on to win the Second Division, finishing the season with 100 points, 14 clear of runners-up Crewe. This is Wigan's highest-ever points total in a season.[21]
Four Wigan players were named in the PFA Team of the Year.[24]
Wigan Athletic's score comes first[25]
Legend
Win | Draw | Loss |
Game | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 10 August 2002 | Cheltenham Town | A | 2–0 | 5,138 | Liddell, McCulloch | [27] |
2 | 13 August 2002 | Mansfield Town | H | 3–2 | 5,837 | Ellington (2), De Vos | [28] |
3 | 17 August 2002 | Bristol City | H | 2–0 | 6,548 | Green, McCulloch | [29] |
4 | 24 August 2002 | Notts County | A | 2–0 | 6,302 | Liddell (2) | [30] |
5 | 26 August 2002 | Port Vale | H | 0–1 | 6,532 | [31] | |
6 | 31 August 2002 | Colchester United | A | 0–1 | 2,721 | [32] | |
7 | 7 September 2002 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 3–0 | 5,358 | Liddell (2), McCulloch | [33] |
8 | 14 September 2002 | Chesterfield | A | 0–0 | 4,124 | [34] | |
9 | 17 September 2002 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 2–0 | 8,153 | Ellington (2, 1 pen.) | [35] |
10 | 21 September 2002 | Peterborough United | H | 2–2 | 5,797 | Liddell (pen.), Ellington | [36] |
11 | 28 September 2002 | Barnsley | A | 3–1 | 9,977 | Liddell, Jackson, Green | [37] |
12 | 5 October 2002 | Cardiff City | H | 2–2 | 8,047 | Dinning, Ellington | [38] |
13 | 12 October 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 3–1 | 8,746 | Dinning (2), Ellington | [39] |
14 | 19 October 2002 | Stockport County | H | 2–1 | 7,276 | Ellington, Roberts | [40] |
15 | 26 October 2002 | Luton Town | A | 1–1 | 7,364 | De Vos | [41] |
16 | 29 October 2002 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 1–1 | 6,241 | Liddell | [42] |
17 | 2 November 2002 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 2–0 | 7,086 | Liddell (pen.), Foster (o.g.) | [43] |
18 | 9 November 2002 | Blackpool | A | 2–0 | 7,676 | Dinning, Flynn | [44] |
19 | 23 November 2002 | Brentford | A | 1–0 | 5,454 | Roberts | [45] |
20 | 30 November 2002 | Northampton Town | H | 1–0 | 6,032 | Roberts | [46] |
21 | 14 December 2002 | Oldham Athletic | A | 2–0 | 8,269 | Ellington, De Vos | [47] |
22 | 21 December 2002 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–0 | 6,013 | De Vos | [48] |
23 | 26 December 2002 | Port Vale | A | 1–0 | 6,395 | De Vos | [49] |
24 | 28 December 2002 | Swindon Town | H | 2–0 | 6,114 | Teale, Ellington | [50] |
25 | 1 January 2003 | Notts County | H | 3–1 | 6,009 | Dinning, De Vos, Liddell | [51] |
26 | 10 January 2003 | Bristol City | A | 1–0 | 13,151 | Kennedy | [52] |
27 | 18 January 2003 | Colchester United | H | 2–1 | 5,792 | De Vos, Liddell (pen.) | [53] |
28 | 25 January 2003 | Swindon Town | A | 1–2 | 5,238 | McCulloch | [54] |
29 | 28 January 2003 | Mansfield Town | A | 2–1 | 5,524 | Ellington, Liddell | [55] |
30 | 1 February 2003 | Cheltenham Town | H | 0–0 | 6,171 | [56] | |
31 | 8 February 2003 | Blackpool | H | 1–1 | 10,546 | Liddell | [57] |
32 | 22 February 2003 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 2–0 | 6,052 | McCulloch, Liddell (pen.) | [58] |
33 | 25 February 2003 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 1–0 | 8,917 | Ellington | [59] |
34 | 1 March 2003 | Chesterfield | H | 3–1 | 6,384 | Teale, Dinning, Liddell (pen.) | |
35 | 4 March 2003 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 0–0 | 9,021 | ||
36 | 8 March 2003 | Peterborough United | A | 1–1 | 4,970 | Arber (o.g.) | [60] |
37 | 15 March 2003 | Luton Town | H | 1–1 | 7,087 | Roberts | [61] |
38 | 18 March 2003 | Stockport County | A | 1–1 | 6,719 | De Vos | [62] |
39 | 22 March 2003 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 1–0 | 14,703 | Ellington | [63] |
40 | 29 March 2003 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 0–1 | 7,203 | ||
41 | 4 April 2003 | Northampton Town | A | 2–0 | 5,822 | Ellington, Liddell (pen.) | |
42 | 12 April 2003 | Brentford | H | 2–0 | 7,204 | Ellington, McCulloch | [64] |
43 | 19 April 2003 | Huddersfield Town | A | 0–0 | 13,769 | [65] | |
44 | 21 April 2003 | Oldham Athletic | H | 3–1 | 12,783 | Roberts (2), Bullard | [66] |
45 | 26 April 2003 | Cardiff City | A | 0–0 | 14,702 | ||
46 | 3 May 2003 | Barnsley | H | 1–0 | 12,537 | Dinning | [67] |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wigan Athletic (C, P) | 46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 68 | 25 | +43 | 100 | Promotion to Football League First Division |
2 | Crewe Alexandra (P) | 46 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 76 | 40 | +36 | 86 | |
3 | Bristol City | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 79 | 48 | +31 | 83 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
4 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 69 | 45 | +24 | 83 | |
5 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 68 | 38 | +30 | 82 |
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 17 November 2001 | Hereford United | A | 1–0 | 4,005 | Green | [69] |
Second | 17 November 2001 | Luton Town | H | 3–0 | 4,544 | Ellington (2), Flynn | [70] |
Third | 4 January 2003 | Stoke City | H | 0–3 | 9,618 | [71] |
The club reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in its history, with upset victories against three Premiership sides (West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City and Fulham) before being knocked out by Blackburn Rovers.
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 10 September 2002 | Northampton Town | A | 1–0 | 2,336 | Jarrett | [72] |
Second | 2 October 2002 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 3–1 | 6,558 | Ellington (3) | [73] |
Third | 5 November 2002 | Manchester City | H | 1–0 | 15,007 | N. Roberts | [74] |
Fourth | 4 December 2002 | Fulham | H | 2–1 | 7,615 | Ellington (2) | [75] |
Quarter final | 17 December 2002 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 0–2 | 16,922 | [76] |
Jewell fielded a weakened team in the First Round of the Football League Trophy, but were still able to win against Notts County. In the next round against Conference side Doncaster Rovers, goalkeeper Dave Beasant became the oldest player to appear for the club at 43 years of age.[21]
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First (Northern) | 22 October 2002 | Notts County | A | 3–2 | 1,020 | Teale (2), Jarrett | [77] |
Second (Northern) | 11 November 2002 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 0–1 | 2,030 | [78] |
No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Division Two | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
1 | GK | ![]() |
John Filan | 55 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2 | DF | ![]() |
Paul Mitchell | 34 | 0 | 13+14 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
3 | DF | ![]() |
Stephen McMillan | 36 | 0 | 28+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
4 | DF | ![]() |
Matt Jackson | 55 | 1 | 45 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
5 | DF | ![]() |
Jason De Vos | 49 | 8 | 43 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
6 | DF | ![]() |
Ian Breckin | 12 | 0 | 7+2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
7 | MF | ![]() |
Andy Liddell | 41 | 16 | 32+5 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
8 | FW | ![]() |
Neil Roberts | 46 | 7 | 25+12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
9 | FW | ![]() |
Nathan Ellington | 51 | 22 | 41+1 | 15 | 2+1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0+1 | 0 |
10 | FW | ![]() |
Lee McCulloch | 41 | 6 | 33+5 | 6 | 0+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
11 | MF | ![]() |
Peter Kennedy | 30 | 1 | 21+1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
12 | MF | ![]() |
Michael Flynn | 24 | 2 | 3+14 | 1 | 0+2 | 1 | 0+3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
15 | FW | ![]() |
David Moore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
16 | MF | ![]() |
Tony Dinning | 44 | 7 | 36+2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
17 | MF | ![]() |
Ged Brannan | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
18 | MF | ![]() |
Jason Jarrett | 45 | 2 | 25+10 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1+1 | 1 |
19 | DF | ![]() |
Nicky Eaden | 45 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
20 | MF | ![]() |
Gary Teale | 46 | 4 | 28+10 | 2 | 1+1 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
21 | MF | ![]() |
Jimmy Bullard | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
25 | DF | ![]() |
Chris Lynch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
26 | DF | ![]() |
Leighton Baines | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
27 | FW | ![]() |
Greg Traynor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
30 | MF | ![]() |
Paul Santus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
33 | GK | ![]() |
Ryan Yeomans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Players who appeared for Wigan and left during the season: | |||||||||||||
13 | GK | ![]() |
Stewart Kerr | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
13 | GK | ![]() |
Dave Beasant | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
14 | DF | ![]() |
Scott Green | 26 | 3 | 14+3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
15 | FW | ![]() |
Lee Ashcroft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
23 | DF | ![]() |
Richard Edghill | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
28 | DF | ![]() |
Kieran Charnock | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
29 | DF | ![]() |
Ian Pendlebury | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |