This is posted on blue board as well, I hope you agree for our town

[Wigan&Proud]

I have been dwelling on that today and something I believe could make people change. Seeing the flags of Germany and The UK made it hit home.
My son went to the states on holiday a few weeks ago and he had got a few t shirts before going. One of them has half US and half UK flag. I dont know if it could be done, but I will ask. How proud would you feel to see half and half football shirt.
Down one half, Cherry and White, Ancient & Loyal
The other side, Blue & White, Progress with Unity
Then the sponsors could go in normal position.
Make me happy, it would never leave my back.

[jobo]

I also watched latics, even back to the Northern Premier League. Most of my mates did to. Things changed however, in the late 80's, when apparently Uncle Maurice not only refused them a ground share at Central Park but also cast doubts on their existence as a sporting club. Not sure how much of this is true but lines were drawn and several, usually level headed mates of mine hate the rugby with a passion.

From a personal point of view, yes I do like football but not latics as they currently are, too much venom, bitterness and hatred. The couple of games I've been too, are absolutely filled with it.

having said that, your sentiments are perfect and all other things Wigan come first for me.

[ancientnloyal]

Im an Arsenal fan and watch bolton once or twice a year so i couldn't care about latics so will naturally put them down at any reasonable opportunity.

Im not one for 'wigan this wigan that'.

[platt-warrior]

why dont you support St Helens then? Your logic seems somewhat amiss

[ancientnloyal]

so by actively dismissing my followings you are saying i should support wigan athletic?

where does st helens come into it?

[platt-warrior]

Well,Warriors are your hometown rugby league side right? so
Latics are.........get it?

Ps I'm a Brighton and Hove Albion supporter I was born there

[ancientnloyal]

exactly what I mean, I doubt 100,000 poeple were Latics fans 10 years ago, not even 4,000. I dont buy the old support where you live ethos. I dont want athletic to win as much as i'd like bristol rovers or newcastle united to win. Plus I was born in bolton on a technicality.

[Wigan&Proud]

See my efforts are wasted on some.
This thread was created out of genuine feeling, if you don't like it fine, but at least don't ruin it.

[ancientnloyal]

i never put your post down. A reason why there is ill-feeling between both sporting sides is that many rugby fans dont support athletic but other bigger local clubs so the negativity will always be there from a majority. There will be those who will support both teams which is fine... but a reason, in my view, why there will always be disharmony is that a supporter of man U, bolton or everton for example will naturally not want athletic to do well... the annoyance of footballs interuptions into the rugby fuels the fire. Nothing wrong with my view it seems correct to me if you are two-eyed. platt-warrior instigated that I 'should' support wigan athletic its those kinds of people who follow religion or love princess diana for example.

nowt wrong with trying to bridge a gap but accept my side of the argument. Many a thread has come and gone, and will continue to do so.

[Exiled Wiganer]

W and P, why don't you contact the Latics club. I am sure they could do more to bridge the gap. At the moment we have the noisy children seemingly setting the agenda.
However Latics looks at it they can only gain from seeking to embrace we rugby lovers. Just as the English had to forgive and forget the Germans, if your CEO (I assume you have one) made some comments about wishing the rugby team well that would go a long way.
Take the Giants game - the impression we have been left with is that we were shunted out of the way for Latics' purposes. After the disgrace of the play offs the other year you can see that that is a sensitive subject. Where is the statement from Latics that they will not move rugby matches. Unless the cockneylatic children are on the board there, then they either don't care or are naive.
I wish you all the best in your campaign, and it wouldn't take much for me to stop wishing the Latics relegated, but I seriously urge you to let the Latics board know.
Bridging the gap is in their hands.