In a show of the real togetherness of Wigan Athletic Football Club, first team players and senior staff have agreed to defer a percentage of their salaries for three months to assist the club’s long-term sustainability.
- Club Statement | COVID-19 Update
- Wigan Athletic’s first team players and senior staff have deferred a percentage of their salaries for three months, to assist the club’s long-term sustainability
- Executive chairman Darren Royle: “Our staff and players have come together to support the organisation and that emphasises the quality of people we have at Wigan Athletic.
Wigan Athletic’s first team players and senior staff have agreed to defer a percentage of their salaries for three months, to assist the club with the economic challenges it faces during the COVID-19 outbreak.
It has been confirmed by the EFL and other football authorities that no professional football will take place until it is deemed safe to do so, in line with guidance from the government and health authorities.
A number of Wigan Athletic Football Club, Wigan Athletic Community Trust and DW Stadium staff have been placed on Furlough leave and this process is continuing.
A number of senior non-playing staff who have not been furloughed have also agreed to defer a significant portion of their salaries.
As a result of these measures, a number of our operations across retail, ticketing, media and communications, hospitality and conferences and events will be operating with a reduced staff and we thank supporters in advance for their patience and understanding during this period.
Wigan Athletic Community Trust staff continue to work with Wigan Council and other partners to provide support to our community, whether that be through phone conversations, food drops or online physical and education sessions.
Staff from the DW Stadium are in constant communication with local authorities, including Wigan Council and Health & Social Care teams, with a view to using the DW Stadium to provide further support to our community at this time. The DW Stadium was also used to support the development of the COVID-19 Contingency Ward at Wigan Infirmary last week, with staff supporting the logistical elements of the project.
Surplus confectionary stock from the concourses has been donated to local charity Fur Clemt, whilst local hotels supporting NHS staff have also been donated with equipment from the DW Stadium and food from the concourses. Members of staff from our concourse catering team have also been assisting the site management and operations at Manchester’s coronavirus drive through testing centre.
Wigan Athletic’s executive chairman, Darren Royle, explained:
“Our staff and players have come together to support the organisation and that emphasises the quality of people we have at Wigan Athletic.
“We thank the players and all staff for their support in this challenging time.
“Our people are still going above and beyond to support our community, the NHS and local charities. I am so proud of everyone making such a significant contribution at this time.
“The key message for everyone at this time is to ensure the health and wellbeing of yourself and your family and to follow the guidance set out by the government and health authorities, which is put in place to reduce the devastating numbers of illnesses and deaths we are seeing across the world.
“Please follow that advice, it is really important and will mean that we can come out on the other side of this crisis situation sooner rather than later and get back to enjoying all of those things we may have previously taken for granted.”