It was under Phoenix 2021 I believe but not sure how Mike Danson has listed it and what his plans are for the rugby club legally, hence the post.

They've always owned the stadium lease either through an umbrella company or directly linked to the club.

Fair enough but I can categorically say they no longer own the DW.

So has MD listed it as a new company then?

I believe any Premier League club that ground shares has to have a clause that their fixture takes priority. It was that clause that made us play a playoff home game at Widnes on a Friday night when the Latics were at home the following afternoon.

There are no such clauses for EFL clubs, some of whom (Coventry for example) have been the junior partner in a groundshare arrangement.

Considering he's supposed to be a Wigan sports reporter, he has a long track record of mostly ignoring the rugby for the football, even during this period in which Latics have been about as close to bringing honour to the town as Putin is to demonstrating statecraft. Serious Wigan sports fans should pay no attention to him whatsoever.

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Not his biggest fan, but Kendrick is a rugby fan. Writing about Wigan rugby isn't his job though so you wont see many articles with his name on

Interesting.

Said for years that the ownership should be 50/50 with both clubs able to do what they want on match days to try to improve their income and they live and die by their own sword on that sense.

You'll never get the majority of fans singing from the same hymn sheet but if the back office staff of the two clubs can then it will only benefit both.

Best wishes Ian - you've done a brilliant job and thanks for being so kind and friendly when we've spoken.

Re the stadium, Danson and the Latics - it'll be interesting to see how things develop. It would be nice to see the DW, it's facilities and it's hospitality get a bit of an uplift and to have a little more cherry and white around. I hope as well though that over time there perhaps won't be as much ill feeling between the two clubs - it's ridiculous. From the constant digs about the town 'turning blue' to threats around the stadium to constant and bizarre attendance references - it's all a bit boring. There's been more than enough ammunition to fire their way over the last few years and I'm sure some Wigan RL fans including myself have done so at times. But put it to one side now, support your club and feel happy for any success that Wigan have. If I'd have gone through school with the clubs on good terms I've no doubt I would be a Latics fan as well. There'll be plenty more like me so the ill feeling is only hurting both clubs.

I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/

I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/'" I thought it was more than £1m but you may be right. The Sodexo offer needs to be improved.

Quote ="Rogues Gallery"I wonder how much this agreement with Sodexo will impact Wigan Warriors/ Athletic. From memory I think Latics previous regime sold all the catering rites to Sodexo for around £1 million. https://wiganathletic.com/news/2021/sep ... W-Stadium/'" I thought it was more than £1m but you may be right. The Sodexo offer needs to be improved.

11 year agreement too. Sounds like the Bahrainis were shafted.

Who needs good business sense when you can just get by on promising blue seats!

It was music to Latics fans ears that sort of thing but as somebody who sits here and considers what's best for both clubs, the alarm bells were ringing back then.

Useless.

That’s a helluva long time for that type of contract.
I’d be amazed if there isn’t some sort break clause within the agreement.
I thought I’d read somewhere that Danson had “bought out” the contract? Not sure if legally he could or without paying a hefty premium to terminate the contract.

It just shoes how desperate they were for "cash"

Or he just opens the fan village on Latics match days too. If Sodexo dont make enough money for their in-stadium refreshments, then they'll be begging Mr D to terminate.

I think Sodexo paid £4m.

I believe that the contract consisted of only three pages, so there may not be a break clause!

Quote ="Zig"I think Sodexo paid £4m.'" Sodexo state £1m revamp: https://uk.sodexo.com/media/news-room/s ... tment.html

Quote ="Zig"I think Sodexo paid £4m.'" Sodexo state £1m revamp: https://uk.sodexo.com/media/news-room/s ... tment.html

Yeah I can see them all turning up to that

If its a choice between money going back to the guy who owns their club, generating more money to re-invest, or money going to a 3rd party who will be creaming off the profits, then I'd take the former.

Go ask your mates on Cockney Latic what they'd do.

Most Latics fans drink in town centre pubs or the brick and that won't change. They certainly won't go anywhere near anything they consider to be related to the rugby.

You'll get the odd few, but I don't see the 700 or so that drink in the south stand and Whelans all flocking over to RP anytime soon.

And if what zig says is true and it becomes knowledge that the stadium ownership has changed to 50/50, WRL or neither club then there is no way they will go to RP.

Is that because they're a bunch of sad sacks mate?