"My owner would definitely like" - Wigan Athletic: Shaun Maloney issues financial update | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney says that the Latics are "doing OK financially" as they prepare for an FA Cup second round tie at Cambridge United

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney has revealed that the Latics are "doing OK financially" as they ready themselves for an FA Cup second round tie away at Cambridge United.

If the Latics progress into the third round with a victory against the U's on Saturday, they could set themselves up with a money-spinning third round glamour tie.

That's exactly what Maloney and co managed last year, when victories over fellow League One outfit Exeter City, and National League York City in rounds one and two respectively handed the Tics a lucrative, televised clash against eventual champions Manchester United.

Wigan's glamour tie against their more renowned Greater Manchester neighbours last term also witnessed a rare sell-out attendance at the Brick Community Stadium.

Everyone associated with the Latics would love to enjoy those sorts of scenes again, and while there would be clear monetary benefits of facing a Premier League side once more, Maloney has revealed that his side are currently in better financial stead than that of recent years.

Maloney delivers positive Wigan Athletic financial message

The Latics boss told BBC Radio Manchester: "My owner would definitely like us to get a big team away from home (in the next round of the FA Cup).

"The work we've done this season to cut the losses of the club is really significant.

"What we've done this season compared to what will come out (in the club's next set of accounts).

"There's not as much pressure as last year, but there's still a little bit there.

"There's a chance for us to get a team from a higher division, and we had that last year, which was amazing.

"We're going to fight like hell to get that.

"We'll play how we normally do, but we'll try to be better than the last time we played at Cambridge."

Wigan supporters will be relieved by Maloney's update

The Latics faithful will be pleased to hear that their club's finances are in order, according to boss Maloney, following a turbulent few years at the Brick Community Stadium.

Back in 2020, the Greater Manchester outfit were plunged into administration under the ownership of the Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corporation.

Such dramatic events led to the Latics being handed a 12-point deduction by the English Football League (EFL), and they were subsequently relegated from the Championship to League One, which prompted a mass exodus of players.

The Tics remained in administration until the spring of 2021, when a Bahraini consortium led by Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi took ownership of the club.

Initially, Al Jasmi and co appeared to have the best interests of the club at heart, as the consortium bankrolled the Latics' 2021/22 League One title winning campaign, which came courtesy of strong additions in the transfer market such as former Stoke City winger James McClean.

However, significant cracks began to show in Wigan's Bahraini-led ownership during the subsequent 2022/23 Championship season, as the club failed to pay its player and staff wages on five occasions.

The Latics were subsequently handed a three-point deduction by the EFL, but the worst was still yet to come, as the club were subject to an HMRC winding-up petition in the summer of 2023.

Current owner Mike Danson saved the Tics from the very real threat of liquidation, but they still had to begin the 2023/24 League One season with an eight-point deduction, which came as a punishment for the wrongdoings of the previous ownership group.

Despite facing such a significant deduction, as well as a transfer embargo, Maloney managed to steer the Latics to a top-half finish in the third tier last term.

Supporters will be pleased to hear that the club's days of financial turmoil now appear firmly behind them, while Maloney and co strive to enjoy a potentially memorable FA Cup run.