fuelling the publicity even more for Uncle Dave.

I really can't understand why people are so wound up about this.

Agreed. 10 pages of nothing IMO.

Ditto. After my initial "aarrgghh" reaction, I've realised I'm not actually that bothered. Teams playing in shared/rented stadiums with changing names because of sponsorship deals is just the way it is now with a lot of clubs.

What's the big deal?

For a lot oe people it isn't a big deal.

I suspect that if the stadium had been called anything else (such as after a sponsor or a local link like Robin Park) no one would have been bothered - but becasue it involes Dave Whelan and his initials then some people don't like it more because of their dislike for the individual concerned and his attitude to RL especially after the play off fiasco last season.

Storm in a teacup.

I agree.

If he owns the ground (and i'm assuming he does) he's entitled to call it whatever he likes.

- Old name of stadium = business owned by Dave Whelan
- New name of stadium = business owned by Dave Whelan

Only a Wiganer would get upset about this like some have done on here.

Nail fairly firmly hit on the head IMO

Some have gone way beyond upset. Some of the vitriol spewed Whelans way over this is worrying.

There's a lot of insecurity about the Latics on here. Given their current position and profile I put it down to jealousy about them.

Stop stirring.

[size=25You are right though.[/size

I'd agree with all of that.

Both teams are eighth in their respective top flights aren't they?

To me, its more a sign of things to come.
Normally, the name wouldnt matter, but following on from last years acrimonious scheduling dispute, it takes on more significance.

When the ground share started, we all assumed it was under equal terms, with neitehr football or rugby having the upper. Now we know different, and understand that Latics will take precedence, whenever DW feels that they need it. As the increasingly self proclaimed "owner of Wigan FC", naming the stadium after himself further reinforces the perception that we are "renting a room in the football house".

Personally, I now have a deep mistrust of the man (NOT hatred), and see this as him further reinforcing the fact that HE owns the ground, HE owns the Football, and that we only play there on HIS permission.
ReBranding JJB Fitness as DW Fitness is just another sign of his increasing megalomania - its not as though his name is worth anything as a brand, so its pure and simple EGO.

Somehow, the Rugby have got on the wrong side of DW, and IL doesnt appear to be the type of person to be able to be able to rekindle the relationship.

Thats why I think this is more than just a rebranding exercise.

Of course, I could just be paranoid

I prefer to look at it as 14th from bottom and 6th from bottom.

Latics are 7th.



Which if they stay in that position will mean European football next season. If that happens I don't think the NHS in Wigan will be able to cope with the reaction of the bitter and twisted.

No one cares about the Latics or even football for that matter. Can't believe some people think they do.

We are 9th and Latics are 7th

yeah but we have got 23 games in hand on them

Well, i always used to call it "The JJB" when we were heading to your end, but i guess now it will be "Robin Park" for me, purely because "The DW" just sounds like a pub or something along those lines. It would also confuse the c**p out of me, as my memory has been shockin this last year or so



I guess this is an equivalent (for want of a better word) of Knowsley Road officially changing its name to the GPW Recruitment stadium. I don't think i've ever heard anyone call it that in regular conversation. Its still "Knowsley Road", "KR", "the s**thole" (all away fans, most home fans!) or "the ground" (anyone calling it "the stadium" needs their eyes and y'ed testing).

As has been pointed out, the bigger worry is Whelan's blatant favouritism of the soccerball team. All good and well for the Latics getting where they are, but (despite the jibes from other teams' fans) i'm pretty sure everyone involved in our game would prefer a Wigan team that isn't getting b\/mmed backroom. Maybe on the pitch though

(though not literally in a ghey sense).

And there it went. Post finally trailed off....... apologies to those who spent time reading it

I see that he has got his face and the DW logo all over the papers by slagging Mike Ashley off , Just a coincidence or what that he has just started a new company

His comment 'he should get some class' take a long hard look in the mirror dave.

Mike Ashley said something along the lines of he hopes JJB would go bust so he could buy it cheap. Don't know how DW can complain business is business and i am sure he would do tha same.

Problem is DW has got far to much to say for himself. How many other chairman get interviewed at the side of the pitch you don't see Everton's bill kenwright or liverpools owners or man utd's. He just needs to shut the f#ck up and enjoy his retirement now.

Sorry for the rant.

whelans an ar$ehole, end of