Paper Talk: Party time

Last updated : 09 May 2005 By Wigan Evening Post.
Club owner Whelan is flying the playing squad and coaching staff to Barbados later this week as a reward for clinching top flight football.

But it will be a working holiday for him and his manager as they discuss the size of the transfer pot needed to survive among the big boys next season.

A cheque for £20m will land in Latics' bank account this week following yesterday's 3-1 win over Reading, the prize for reaching the Premiership.

And with Whelan having already vowed to match that figure with his own money, Jewell won't be short of funds.

But the chairman has already warned players eyeing an easy time at Wigan will be wasting their time.

He told the Evening Post: "Paul has already had enquiries from agents on behalf of players who supposedly have always wanted to play for Wigan Athletic.

"That number will have grown again now we've got promotion.

"We are in the Premiership and some people will think they can come here and have an easy ride.

"This is a club where the ethic is hard work and we don'tbelieve in anything but work on the field.

"We will work our socks off next season and I hope we give a good account of ourselves.

"On Friday we go away at Barbados with the players and coaching staff.

"I promised them this two months ago and they're also on very good bonuses.

"I'm taking them there to say 'thank you' from all the people of Wigan because they have done a magnificent job this year.

"When we are there, myself and Paul will sit down together and we'll have some great conversations about what is needed.

"We're going to have to spend a bit but as you saw out there, quite a few of these lads will do the business.

"In the Premiership there are three divisions almost – if we can get into the middle one we'll be very happy."

Jewell said the trip to Barbados would be the time for talking, until then he intends to enjoy the party.

He and the players will return to the JJB Stadium tomorrow night for a celebration on the pitch and the presentation of the player of the year awards.

Doors open at 6pm, with the players arriving at at 6.45pm, and admission is free.

Jewell said: "Me and the chairman will talk in Barbados – I'll get a few glasses of wine down him and hopefully he'll write a blank cheque!

"There will be money to spend, we need to strengthen the squad, but at the moment's it's not really the time to think about that.

"In the summer we have to make sure we sign the right players who want to come to the club for the right reasons.

"But that doesn't mean the lads who have played their part this season will be wiped out.

"We'll spend the money wisely. Wigan have been known as the big spenders of the Football League, but now we'll probably be known as the paupers of the Premier League.

"I don't think we will be as much as a walkover as some people might think next season."

Whelan, who has pumped upwards of £65m into the club to turn the Premiership dream into reality, said it was a special moment when promotion finally happened.

"What a great day for Wigan Athletic and the town of Wigan," he said.

"It goes down in history as something special when a team like Wigan reaches the Premiership after only being in the Football League 27 years.

"We were in the old Fourth Division 10 years ago.

"It shows every team in the land it is possible, it can be done, and we have spelt it out like Wimbledon did.

"Now we have done it, we can start planning.

"We will talk lots about the budget and all kind of other things over the next few days."

One of those issues will be finalising Jewell's new contract, with the manager set to sign a two-year extension to the 12 months left on his current deal.

And top scorer Nathan Ellington revealed yesterday that he was ready to negotiate a new contract – the Duke will also go under the knife this summer for ongoing repairs on his damaged shoulder.