Wigan Athletic Take Whalley on Trial

Trial Move - Wigan
By Chris O'Brien
August 27 2004

Gareth Whalley is currently on trial at Wigan Athletic and will be desperate to make a permanent move to the JJB Stadium, leaving his controversial Bluebirds career behind. The midfielder was dropped last season so Cardiff could avoid paying him a £50,000 bonus payment.

Forgotten Cardiff City midfielder Gareth Whalley is currently on trial at Wigan Athletic, with the player desperate to join the promotion chasing Latics on a permanent basis.

Despite the Bluebirds squad being rather threadbare, the former Bradford City star hasn't been considered for first-team duties following a wage dispute towards the end of last season. Whalley was dropped last season so the club could avoid paying him a £50,000 bonus payment, and weeks of arguments and unwanted media attention followed. 

Whalley was allocated a squad number, but has played no part in City's first-team affairs this season. He was not even asked to be part of the team squad picture, indicating the club want to break ties with the holding midfielder as soon as possible.

"I know Gareth well and he's a quality footballer who was player of the year when we got promoted to the Premiership at Bradford." said Wigan boss Paul Jewell.

"He's coming here for a couple of weeks' training so we can have a look at him, and something may develop on that in the future.

"It's only a short-term thing for now, but I think Cardiff would be willing to let him go, so we'll see how it goes and then make a decision on him once we've assessed him to see where he stands fitness wise."

Whalley has been treated unfairly by Sam Hammam and everyone at Cardiff City, and a move to Wigan Athletic could give his career a real lifeline. The whole ordeal at Ninian Park would be worthwhile for him if he was to sign for the Lancashire club, who are favourites for  promotion to the Premiership this season.

Wigan currently top the Football League Championship table, and their physical, old-fashioned approach has earned the club plaudits across the country. The Bluebirds travel to the JJB Stadium on the 30th August, by which time Whalley will hope to have made an impression on Jewell.