Whelan confirms £500,000 pitch improvement plan

Last updated : 12 March 2008 By Paul Farrington
The pitch at the JJB Stadium has been a problem for the Latics since their move in 1999 and chairman Whelan has promised to put an end to the troubles and sort the pitch out "once and for all."

Whelan is quoted in this week's Wigan Observer: "It needs to be done - you can see how it's cutting up. The whole pitch will be dug up and replaced. We need to start again.

"We're spending £500,000 on a new pitch in June. We've had real problems with the bad weather and the River Douglas. The Douglas was totally flooded for 3 days - it was the first time it was like that in 75 years.

"It doesn't allow the pitch to drain away the water. We're getting it sorted once and for all."

Meanwhile, manager Steve Bruce added: "It [the pitch] was half artificial with plastic weaved into the grass, but it became too firm.

"They contructed the new pitch on top of that, but the water and roots cannt get through. You can just grab hold of the pitch and pull it out.

"Our players don't like it. The groundsman works and tries as hard as he can. The thing needs ripping up and starting again. It's historically been bad."

It is unclear the exact date of the replacement, but the turfing out of the Warriors will no doubt add to the satisfying feeling of a nice new pitch to play on.

The Wigan Observer is available to buy in newsagents every Tuesday evening.