What a wonderful custodian he has been for the club. He hands on a club in much better shape than the one he inherited. All true Wigan fans and supporters are truly grateful.And as one era ends another begins. Here’s hoping the players can send him out with something to remember. Thank you Ian, you are a true legend.

A fine custodian of the greatest rugby league club in the world. I am sure the new owner will find a way of recognising Ian’s contribution and achievements.

I am sure that the new man at the helm will take us to the next level.

I imagine he’ll be a silent backer. Possibly rads moves in to Leneghans position to oversea everything. Possibly have wane move up and get some to fill the gap. Personally I hope Leneghan or his son, which I was lead to believe was interested in taking over, stays on board in some shape

I remember shaking hands with him at Hull KR when we won the League Leaders Shield a decade or so ago. Intelligent and articulate, Mr Lenagan always had time for the fans and, as has been said, turned the club around bringing further continued success to the club. Steered us through the difficult covid years as well. He’ll go down as a legend in my book.

Exciting times ahead, with Mike Danson taking over full control. I think the timing is right for that too. A fresh impetus and fresh ideas. A lasting legacy of IL will be that he handed over the reigns to the right sort of people.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 31PQmVlUTA

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... 31PQmVlUTA

Thank you Mr. Lenegan. You have done a wonderful job. I wish you nothing but peace and happiness in your retirement.

Not going to go down well with the rivals this. How dare we be the richest club in the world as well as the biggest.


As you were, St Helens

Think the world is over egging it. Maybe in SL yes but I imagine the NRL teams will have a say in it haha

Brisbane Broncos are worth 93m Dollars and they are the richest in the NRL. Danson could buy them and use them as a feeder club

Many months ago I posted about some BIG news was due to come out about Wigan Rugby, I didn't think it would have takes so long to be released.

A big thank you to Ian Lenagan and all his family for the incredible work (and money) they have put into the club over the past years, what a fabulous job they have done.

Assumed you were referring to the return of a BIG ONE match and the club were about to revisit their strategy of tying Wigan scarves to lamposts at 6.00am.

I dont think some of these responses quite cut it in honesty.

Our club was a disgrace before Lenegan took over. The relegation battle, salary cap penalties, the horrendous on field performance, the way we treated our academy players, the discrepancy on the salary cap - everything.

He came in, held fan forums, even posted on here (go on Ian give us a post) and gradually built the club up back to success which from 2003-2009 I never saw coming. That 2010 Michael Maguire season meant everything to me. I'd watched Wigan religiously home and away - good and bad - for years to zero success. To win the GF in 2010 in the manner we did, with the style of Rugby was a dream to me. The last trophy id seen us win prior to that was the 2002 Cup final.

A first class owner. A thankless job at times. Ian you did a brilliant job with us. I cannot thank you enough. You restored the pride back into the club and the 2010-2020 decade delivered us success we had not seen in the SL era but that we so desperately craved.

Thank you. A true club legend.

Absolute chad. Along with Coleman at saints and Moran at Warrington, put his hand in his pocket to make SL a better place while other clubs took as much as they could and gave nothing Back.

Enjoy your retirement IL you deserve it.

What a post. You do realise that Wigan are worth MINUS £8miion?

So yeah. The broncos are worth £90m and Wigan are worth nothing. Zero. Nowt.

A massive thank you to IL. Turned the club from the joke that Whelan had turned the club in to and made us champions on multiple occasions. Put his money where his mouth was having to dip his hand in his pocket to cover debts on multiple occasions. The big thing that stood out in my memory was when we got hammered by saints in Cardiff. He and his wife came out to face the music with the fans and said spent hours chatting with us. He took a grilling of Steve-o too who ripped the team to shreads. He said give him three years to get it right bay the club. He did it in two. Another favourite of mine was before World Cup final in 2017 and he was blind drunk in Brisbane interacting with the fans of all clubs. He spent a lot of time with us and let a little too much information out. Out of respect of the man none of us posted anything he said on social media. IFL for me will go down as the greatest signing that Wigan RL ever made. Enjoy retirement Mr Lenegan.

If you don’t turn it in we’ll get Mr Danson to buy your under 12’s Rugby Union team and close it down.

Can only echo all the other (sensible) comments, and add my thanks.

The stadium ownership issue still seems unclear. That Paul Kendrick (Wigan Today reporter for Latics) claiming Latics still own the stadium but my understanding was MD bought the stadium when he bought Latics so once he’s 100% owner of Warriors, you’d like to think ownership is shared?

Kendrick has shown many times before he knows very little details - just a glorified rumour mongering fan.

Anyone got any more insights?

They may very well own the stadium as MD doesnt own the rugby club yet. I suspect all the businesess will be re-aligned in whatever way MD thinks is best once he owns everything.

To think that he will own WAFC, WWRLFC, the 'Danson Dome' and Robin Park. Quite a selection of assets

I can't see why things (on paper) would change? I'm not sure about FFP in football, but why would they move a source of income off the books? Even if us paying rent is a token accountancy gesture, it's still showing as money in.

Mike Danson owns the lot. When did we last see a curtain raiser at the DW? There are plenty of changes afoot.

He does own the rugby club.

how can they be worth zero?...IL clears the deficit every year and the players are an asset.....so go on, how?

The stadium may well stay as a legal entity owned by WAFC but the lay of the land will be very very different to what we're used to.

Danson is a Warriors fan first and he bought the Tics just to keep them alive,things are changing for the Rugby.
Did I notice flags are appearing again,curtain raisers aswell.
Great times ahead.
Corporate/food/beer sales will go back to the club.
Thankyou to Lenegan for his tenure and a possible bigger thankyou for introducing Danson to the club.