Whalley Signs for Latics

JJB-bound
By Chris O'Brien
September 16 2004

Gareth Whalley has finally left Ninian Park and has signed a season contract with promotion hopefuls Wigan Athletic. The midfielder leaves after a wage bust-up which saw him dropped solely so Cardiff City could save money on bonus payments.

Gareth Whalley has earned himself a contract with promotion chasing Wigan Athletic, and has the midfield heads to Lancashire with dreams of playing Premiership football next season he will surely have a smug smile on his face with the Bluebirds sitting in despair amongst the bottom three.

The former Cardiff player was treated disgracefully by the club when chairman Sam Hammam ordered that the 29-year-old should be dropped from the team as he was one game away from picking up a £50,000 bonus packet, which would have further plunged City into debt. A war of words then started at the club and the result will have left potential signings sceptical about a move to Ninian Park.

Whalley joins up with a physical, aggressive Latics side who are chasing the Championship title. With Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts up-front they have great attacking options and looked excellent for an hour when City made the trip to the JJB Stadium. He can expect a battle for a regular first-team place, but if he impresses may have a chance of playing amongst the elite of British football next term.

Good luck to Gareth.