2002–03 Wigan Athletic F.C. season

Background

Despite a disappointing previous season, it was felt that the club still had a strong squad. The Guardian and The Times both predicted that the club would finish 2nd in the league.

Transfers

In

Out

Loans out

Pre-season

League

Main article: 2002–03 Football League

Between 2 November and 18 January, the club won a record 11 consecutive league games. Goalkeeper John Filan set another club record during this run of games by keeping eight clean sheets in a row.

The club secured promotion with four games to spare on 15 April when their closest rivals, Crewe Alexandra, dropped points against Bristol City. This was the first time in the club's history that Wigan had been promoted to the second tier of English football. The club went on to win the Second Division, finishing the season with 100 points, 14 clear of runners-up Crewe. This is Wigan's highest-ever points total in a season.

Four Wigan players were named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Results

Wigan Athletic's score comes first

Legend

Final league table

Cups

FA Cup

Main article: 2002–03 FA Cup

League Cup

Main article: 2002–03 Football League Cup

The club reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in its history, with upset victories against three Premiership sides (West Bromwich Albion, Manchester City and Fulham) before being knocked out by Blackburn Rovers.

Football League Trophy

Main article: 2002-03 Football League Trophy

Jewell fielded a weakened team in the First Round of the Football League Trophy, but were still able to win against Notts County. In the next round against Conference side Doncaster Rovers, goalkeeper Dave Beasant became the oldest player to appear for the club at 43 years of age.

Squad statistics

:Squad at end of season

Appearances and goals

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Notes

References

References

1. "Wigan Athletic FC".
2. "Wigan Athletic FC".
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4. (12 August 2002). "Second Division Predictions and Fixtures". The Guardian.
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7. (20 October 2002). "Wigan seal Eaden deal".
8. (22 October 2002). "Edghill set for debut".
9. (28 October 2002). "Beasant set for Latics deal".
10. (1 February 2003). "Wigan bag Bullard".
11. (27 September 2002). "Kerr forced to quit".
12. (22 January 2003). "Edghill joins Blades".
13. (30 January 2003). "Seagulls land Beasant".
14. (6 February 2003). "Wigan release Ashcroft".
15. (14 February 2003). "Green signs for Wrexham".
16. (18 March 2003). "Trio leave the club". Wigan Observer.
17. (19 March 2003). "Pendlebury set for Leigh".
18. (9 October 2002). "Vale set for Ashcroft signing".
19. (9 December 2002). "Terriers snap up Ashcroft".
20. (6 August 2002). "Undefeated Latics all set for kick-off". Wigan Observer.
21. (17 October 2024). "Results not records the most important thing for Wigan Athletic boss - 'I've not heard it mentioned'".
22. (15 April 2003). "Wigan win promotion".
23. "Honours and Records".
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26. {{harvnb. Rollin. Rollin. 2003
27. (11 August 2002). "Allner remains positive".
28. (13 August 2002). "Wigan 3-2 Mansfield".
29. (17 August 2002). "Wigan 2-0 Bristol City".
30. (24 August 2002). "Notts County 0-2 Wigan".
31. (26 August 2002). "Wigan 0-1 Port Vale".
32. (31 August 2002). "Colchester 1-0 Wigan".
33. (7 September 2002). "Wigan 3-0 Wycombe".
34. (13 September 2002). "Chesterfield 0-0 Wigan".
35. (17 September 2002). "Tranmere 0-2 Wigan".
36. (20 September 2002). "Wigan 2-2 Peterborough".
37. (28 September 2002). "Barnsley 1-3 Wigan".
38. (5 October 2002). "Wigan 2-2 Cardiff".
39. (12 October 2002). "Plymouth 1-3 Wigan".
40. (19 October 2002). "Wigan 2-1 Stockport".
41. (26 October 2002). "Luton 1-1 Wigan".
42. (29 October 2002). "Wigan 1-1 QPR".
43. (2 November 2002). "Wigan 2-0 Crewe".
44. (9 November 2002). "Blackpool 0-2 Wigan".
45. (23 November 2002). "Brentford 0-1 Wigan".
46. (30 November 2002). "Wigan 1-0 Northampton".
47. (14 December 2002). "Oldham 0-2 Wigan".
48. (21 December 2002). "Wigan 1-0 Huddersfield".
49. (26 December 2002). "Port Vale 0-1 Wigan".
50. (28 December 2002). "Wigan 2-0 Swindon".
51. (1 January 2003). "Wigan 3-1 Notts County".
52. (10 January 2003). "Bristol C 0-1 Wigan".
53. (18 January 2003). "Wigan 2-1 Colchester".
54. (25 January 2003). "Swindon 2-1 Wigan".
55. (29 January 2003). "Mansfield 1-2 Wigan".
56. (1 February 2003). "Wigan 0-0 Cheltenham".
57. (11 February 2003). "Wigan 1-1 Blackpool".
58. (22 February 2003). "Wycombe 0-2 Wigan".
59. (25 February 2003). "Crewe 0-1 Wigan".
60. (8 March 2003). "Peterborough 1-1 Wigan".
61. (15 March 2003). "Wigan 1-1 Luton".
62. (18 March 2003). "Stockport 1-1 Wigan".
63. (22 March 2003). "QPR 0-1 Wigan".
64. (12 April 2003). "Wigan 2-0 Brentford".
65. (19 April 2003). "Huddersfield 0-0 Wigan".
66. (21 April 2003). "Wigan 3-1 Oldham".
67. (3 May 2003). "Wigan 1-0 Barnsley".
68. (16 November 2002). "Hereford 0-1 Wigan".
69. (7 December 2002). "Wigan 3-0 Luton".
70. (4 January 2003). "Greenacre double sinks Wigan".
71. (10 September 2002). "Northampton 0-1 Wigan".
72. (2 October 2002). "Ellington blows away Baggies".
73. (5 November 2002). "Wigan stun Man City".
74. (4 December 2002). "Wigan dump out Fulham".
75. (17 December 2002). "Cole double downs Wigan".
76. (22 October 2002). "Notts Co 2-3 Wigan".
77. (11 November 2002). "Wigan 0-1 Doncaster".
78. "FootballSquads - Wigan Athletic - 2002/03".
79. "Wigan FC Player Appearances".