Wigan Athletic

Dave Whelan to be made life president of Wigan Athletic

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 26 May 2015

Wigan Athletic chairman David Sharpe announces that his grandfather Dave Whelan will be made life president and have a statue erected outside the DW Stadium.

Wigan Athletic have announced that former chairman Dave Whelan will be named life president of the club.

The Latics have also revealed that a statue of Whelan will be erected outside the club's DW Stadium.

Whelan stepped down as chairman earlier this year, handing the reins to 23-year-old grandson David Sharpe.

In a statement on the club website, Sharpe said: "What my grandfather achieved at Wigan Athletic is beyond the dreams of anyone connected with the club and I feel it is fitting to honour those achievements, firstly with the title of life president and secondly with a statue which we are planning to erect outside the main entrance of the DW Stadium.

"My grandfather transformed the club forever and I know that every Wigan Athletic supporter appreciates the things he has done for us and will support both of these ideas."

Wigan won the FA Cup in 2013, but will be playing football in League One next season after two relegations in three seasons.