The impressive unbroken run stretches back to when he first joined the club from Blackburn Rovers in December 2001.
While he has sat out the odd cup game, he has been the undisputed No.1 in Nationwide League action.
And the Latics boss has paid tribute to Filan who he brought for what is now looking a bargain £600,000.
Jewell said: "John has proved himself to be an excellent keeper and has played a big part in what we've done here.
"He guards his goal with authority, he'll speak his mind, and I regard him as the best outside the Premiership.
"If you look back at the Preston game the other week, John made a couple of world class saves at vital times.
"He works ever so hard in training, with him and the other keepers we have here being the first on to the pitch and the last off it.
"When he came to Wigan, we were mid-table in the Second Division but he saw this was a forward thinking club and wanted to come.
"It was one of the easiest transfers I've done as there were no agents involved and Blackburn were good to us throughout.
"John took a pay cut when he joined us and that shows what he is all about because he could have easily sat on his backside at Blackburn.
"Playing 100 consecutive league games is quite an achievement and I think it's benefited him to get a good run."
The century of appearances is a record for a keeper at Latics, Roy Tunks having previously played 97 times on the spin.
But outfield players Colin Methven (107), Jeff Wright (110), Colin Greenall (103) and Tommy Gore (102) are still to be overtaken.
Filan will be part of an unchanged line-up which faces the Clarets, with Jewell expected to keep faith with the side which won 4-2 at Preston in their last outing nearly a fortnight ago.
There will be changes on the bench, though, with Andy Liddell fit again after more than a month out with a calf strain while Steve McMillan could be in contention following a long absence with a hip problem.
A bid by Jewell, though, to bring in a new face ahead of the derby clash has had to be put on hold.
Jewell had been working on making a signing from a Premiership club and thought he had a done deal until a late change of mind by the selling club. But he hinted it could be resurrected next week after the closing of the transfer window for top flight clubs on Monday – the deadline has been extended by 41 hours.
Jewell said: "I thought we had a deal on Tuesday but the club rang me back on Wednesday and called it off.
"I've not spoken with the lad yet – I'm not going to say who it is – because you have to get the club's permission first.
"But I'm hoping we can still do something next week, although we'll probably have to make do with what we've got tomorrow."
While Jewell has been met by a brick wall in the transfer market, Burnley boss Stan Ternent has dipped into the loan market for three players this week.
Bradley Orr, a young midfielder from Newcastle, was snapped up on Wednesday, and was joined at Turf Moor yesterday by Charlton goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and Manchester United midfielder Neil Wood.
Latics ran the rule over Orr earlier in the season but decided against making a move for him.
Jewell is looking forward to locking horns again with Ternent tomorrow – when he was a player at Bradford, Ternent had a spell as assistant manager.
"Stan has done a great job at Burnley and getting them to the verge of the Premiership a couple of years ago was a fantastic achievement," he said.
"He's had some criticism from people outside the game, but you find anyone involved inside football having a go at him."
Story From The Wigan Evening Post.
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Have your say, is Filan the best ever Latics 'keeper? Discuss it on the messageboard.
While he has sat out the odd cup game, he has been the undisputed No.1 in Nationwide League action.
And the Latics boss has paid tribute to Filan who he brought for what is now looking a bargain £600,000.
Jewell said: "John has proved himself to be an excellent keeper and has played a big part in what we've done here.
"He guards his goal with authority, he'll speak his mind, and I regard him as the best outside the Premiership.
"If you look back at the Preston game the other week, John made a couple of world class saves at vital times.
"He works ever so hard in training, with him and the other keepers we have here being the first on to the pitch and the last off it.
"When he came to Wigan, we were mid-table in the Second Division but he saw this was a forward thinking club and wanted to come.
"It was one of the easiest transfers I've done as there were no agents involved and Blackburn were good to us throughout.
"John took a pay cut when he joined us and that shows what he is all about because he could have easily sat on his backside at Blackburn.
"Playing 100 consecutive league games is quite an achievement and I think it's benefited him to get a good run."
The century of appearances is a record for a keeper at Latics, Roy Tunks having previously played 97 times on the spin.
But outfield players Colin Methven (107), Jeff Wright (110), Colin Greenall (103) and Tommy Gore (102) are still to be overtaken.
Filan will be part of an unchanged line-up which faces the Clarets, with Jewell expected to keep faith with the side which won 4-2 at Preston in their last outing nearly a fortnight ago.
There will be changes on the bench, though, with Andy Liddell fit again after more than a month out with a calf strain while Steve McMillan could be in contention following a long absence with a hip problem.
A bid by Jewell, though, to bring in a new face ahead of the derby clash has had to be put on hold.
Jewell had been working on making a signing from a Premiership club and thought he had a done deal until a late change of mind by the selling club. But he hinted it could be resurrected next week after the closing of the transfer window for top flight clubs on Monday – the deadline has been extended by 41 hours.
Jewell said: "I thought we had a deal on Tuesday but the club rang me back on Wednesday and called it off.
"I've not spoken with the lad yet – I'm not going to say who it is – because you have to get the club's permission first.
"But I'm hoping we can still do something next week, although we'll probably have to make do with what we've got tomorrow."
While Jewell has been met by a brick wall in the transfer market, Burnley boss Stan Ternent has dipped into the loan market for three players this week.
Bradley Orr, a young midfielder from Newcastle, was snapped up on Wednesday, and was joined at Turf Moor yesterday by Charlton goalkeeper Paul Rachubka and Manchester United midfielder Neil Wood.
Latics ran the rule over Orr earlier in the season but decided against making a move for him.
Jewell is looking forward to locking horns again with Ternent tomorrow – when he was a player at Bradford, Ternent had a spell as assistant manager.
"Stan has done a great job at Burnley and getting them to the verge of the Premiership a couple of years ago was a fantastic achievement," he said.
"He's had some criticism from people outside the game, but you find anyone involved inside football having a go at him."
Story From The Wigan Evening Post.
-------------------------
Have your say, is Filan the best ever Latics 'keeper? Discuss it on the messageboard.