Brown turns Blue.....

Michael Brown this morning completed his long awaited move to the JJB. Michael has signed a 3 year deal for a reported £3.1 million.

The transfer of Brown from Fulham has taken an age - or so it seems, with both player and club finally agreeing terms late last night, paving the way for Brown to complete a medical and sign on the dotted line this morning.

Hutchings was delighted to finally net his man, speaking to the Official Website he said: "We have worked really hard behind the scenes to make this one happen because i believe he will make a big difference to the side and i am really happy Michael has agreed to join us.

Brown is Manager Chris Hutchings seventh signing making it a blockbuster of a summer on the buying front for the Latics. One is really starting to wonder if we will hit double figures on the transfer front as we are still constantly being linked with players. We here at Paralatic say "BRING IT ON"!!

Maurice is Poorly

Maurice Lindsay is on the tablets after watching his chimps get stuffed by a pub team.

"I am 66 and, as many people know, my health has suffered in the last couple of years," he said.

"My doctor has constantly stressed to me that I should take more care of my health. Therefore, it probably needs someone else to take the club forward for the next 10 years."

With this in mind he has decided to step down from the egg's board at the end of the season, although no word has been forthcoming about him jumping off the Latics gravytrain after he smugly belittled us in the past.

After confidently predicting Wigan Warriors would take 35-40,000 fans to the new Wembley for the challenge cup final, he was conspicuous by his absence when the BBC were interviewing the gallant losers on Sunday afternoon.

Get well soon Maurice!!

R.I.P. Alf Craig

It is with sadness that we bring you the news that former Latics player/manager Alf Craig has passed away.

He signed for Latics in 1964 and made 126 league appearances. He also scored "The Goal That Never Was" against Tranmere Rovers in a first round FA cup encounter in 1966. In the dying seconds with Latics trailing 1-0, Alf released a thunderbolt which flew into the Rovers net, only for the referee to disallow it, blowing for full time as the ball flew towards the goal.

Alf also held a player-manager position from November 1966 to March 1967. He didn't enjoy this post however and resigned after agreeing with the board to be assistant manager to the next boss (Harry Leyland).

Credit to Latics official site for providing this in-depth tribute to a Latics legend.


Thank goodness for the fan sites like Ye Olde Tree And Crown.

Rest in peace Alf.

Baines snubs persistent Keane

Leighton Baines has today snubbed the efforts of Sunderland's Roy Keane bid to bring him to the JJB after a reported £6 million bid had been tabled by the black cats.

Baines had been given permission by Latics to speak to Sunderland but after talks, the deal was not done and he has decided to stay at the JJB(for the time being). Everton are still reported to be tacking the U-21 star but are only willing to offer a sum in the region of £4 miilion.

Elsewhere it looks like the Michael (gnasher)Brown transfer may finally be resolved in the next 2 - 3 days with the player reportedly agreeing personal terms with the club for his move up north. Living accomodation was apparently important for Brown so the top floor flat at Douglas house in Scholes was ideal. Hope you settle in well Michael.

Race for Brown almost won..

Wigan Athletic are one step closer to signing Michael Brown from Fulham. This particular transfer target seems to have been rumbling along for some time now. But it is now reported that Michael has had a medical at the JJB and is keen to agree personal terms with the Latics.


It is reported that Wigan have made a £2.5 million bid for the 30 yr old midfielder who is becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of games for the London club.

Elsewhere on the rumour mill Chris Hutchings is said to be keen on bringing Lomana Lua Lua to the JJB after the bizarre switch in elegance of Marlon turncoat Harewood signing for Villa. Lua Lua seems to be dropping down the pecking order at current club Portsmouth and therfore a move North may well suit him.

Also, Mr Keane just dosen't know when to give up, apparently Leighton Baines was yesterday reportedly on his way up to Sunderland to hold transfer talks with the powers that be at the Stadium of Light. No fee for the young left-back has been agreed between the two clubs but a fee in the region of £5.5 million is believed to be wanted by Wigan. We here at Paralatic have just one thing to say to Mr Keane -HANDS OFF - I thought you didn't like scousers anyway!!!!!!!!!

Latics All-Stars Require Hot Talent

Latics All-Stars require hot nubile young men to join their half-time dance troupe.

Interested hot sexy young men should ring Latics and ask for Maurice for a personal audition.

Harewood move/Baines speculation

Marlon Harewood has forsaken Wigan Athletic for the delights of Villa Park. He signs for Aston Villa from West Ham United for an undisclosed fee (rumoured to be around £3.5 million).

"If he can recapture the form he showed in the two seasons before last, he will definitely be a big asset" said Villa manager Martin O'Neill.

Meanwhile, Roy Keane's tenacity as a player is resurfacing in his tenure as manager of Sunderland as he, once again, is on the tail of Latics star Leighton Baines.

He has already had three bids for Latic's 22 year-old full-back rejected, but like a dog with a bone, he just won't let go.

"Just because a club says a player is not for sale - if that was the case, nobody would ever move club" said Keane.

"I am sure Everton told Manchester United Wayne Rooney was not for sale, but they got him, so we will see."

Jewell at Leeds/Johansson Leaves

Reports in Yorkshire claim a wealthy business consortium, want Paul Jewell as manager should they take charge of Leeds United.

It's understood they see Jewell as the ideal man to come in and revive Leeds' fortunes. It's a challenge Jewell may fancy - he is based in neighbouring Ilkley and has vowed to be back once he is refreshed after taking a break.

Andreas Johansson has been released from his Latics contract with one year still remaining on it and he is expected to move to Danish team Aalborg.

PARALATIC gazumped by Vital Football

They nicked our headline. Swines.

You can read their marvellous article here.

Marlon Harewood has not joined the Latics squad in Holland, and reports suggest that he is in talks with Aston Villa after they matched West Ham's asking price, regarding his footballing future.

Harewood's agent Mick McGuire said "We are currently in talks with Aston Villa after they agreed a fee with West Ham, If the talks go well he will then undergo a medical as normal.

"As we know Wigan have made a bid for Marlon and talked to him also.

"Now it is down to Marlon to make a decision on where he goes."

Harewood set to become a Latic..

Marlon Harewood looks all set to be Wigan manager Chris Hutchings seventh signing of the summer. Reports are that Marlon had his extensive medical at the JJB yesterday and now looks to put pen to paper and join the Wigan outfit in a reported £4 million deal.

Hutchings was looking to strengthen his attack after the sale of Lee McCulloch to rangers this week. As soon as the deal is done Mr Harewood will join his new team mates at their summer training camp in Holland.

Miss Wigan Athletic 2007: Winner Revealed.

Stephanie Angleterre

Stephanie says: "I am really happy to win, I want to help make the world a better place by helping blind orphans and saving the whales. I think everyone in the world should just get along and be nice to each other. George Bush and Osama bin Laden should come round to my house for a nice cup of tea and stop fighting".

Stephanie likes Bunny Rabbits, Clouds, Flowers, Bacardi Breezers, Anal Sex and Opium.

Camara Touted Around

Football agent Mamadou Cherif is creating waves on the football pond by offering the services of some of his wares, namely our very own Henri Camara.

He has told a Senagalese website that Blackburn Rovers and Fulham are interested in the international striker in an attempt to engineer a profitable move away from the JJB.

"There is one club who have made an offer which is Fulham, but Wigan haven't responded and it doesn't please us much either," said Cherif.

"I am working on two trails: Portsmouth and Blackburn."

Have Latics gazumped Birmingham?

After passing a medical at Birmingham City yesterday, it appears that Marlon Harewood may now be on his way to Wigan Athletic after Latics boss Chris Hutchings tabled a £3.7 million bid for the West Ham striker.

Alan Curbishley has recently splashed out £7.5 million for Craig Bellamy meaning that Harewood is surplus to requirements at Upton Park.

Everton in for Baines?

Everton are believed to be about to make an offer for the £6 million rated Leighton Baines.

After the latest offer from Sunderland for Baines was rebuffed, Latics boss Chris Hutchings was insistent the full-back would not be leaving.

"I have told Roy Keane that Leighton is not for sale, he is part of this club," said Hutchings.

"Everyone does have a price, but I am happy to keep him as I am building a team".

Latics Sell McCulloch and Hope to Sign Marlon

Lee McCulloch has completed his transfer to Glasgow Rangers and has signed a four year deal after holding talks yesterday..

The agreed fee is undisclosed, but is widely touted around the internet to be between £2-2.5 million.
"I'm delighted to be coming to such a massive club, a club with ambition and a club with tradition," said McCulloch,

"It really is brilliant and one of the best days of my life. I'm here to play for the badge. I had hoped I would get the move in January but Wigan wouldn't budge. But that's all in the past now because the most important thing is that I have signed here now,"

"Walter Smith and Ally McCoist were great with me during their period with Scotland and the fact they wanted to bring me here is fantastic."

Meanwhile, Latics boss Chris Hutchings hopes chairman Dave Whelan's comments about the Carlos Tevez affair will not affect his plans to acquire the services of Hammers forward Marlon Harewood.

"What happened is in the past, you can't look back" said Hutchings.

"We've shown an interest in Marlon and that is ongoing".

Kool Kool Koumas Signs for Latics..

Wigan Athletic finally got their man today. Securing the signing of 27yr old Welsh International Jason Koumas for a fee reported to be around £5.3 million.

Koumas is now new manager Chris Hutchings sixth signing of the summer and all seems to be going well on the intake front at the JJB. The former West Brom ace completed his move from The Baggies to Wigan today after what appears to be a rather drawn out saga between the two clubs after West Brom appeared to be trying to make the most of cashing in on the Koumas deal.

After Wigan's lofty bid was accepted, Koumas jumped at the chance to sign and is looking to repay Chris Hutchings' faith in him. "I'm delighted it's all done now and I can look forward to playing in the Premiership," he told Sky Sports News. "It's where I've wanted to be for a while so I can prove what I can do. It's all about playing in the Premiership.
"I'm at an age now where I need to be playing there. Wigan have given me the chance to come here and do well.
"Wigan is a great move for me. They've paid a lot of money for me, so I can't wait to get started and repay the faith the manager has shown.

Harewood and Brown may have the Blues....

The title may sound more like a new sponsor for the JJB billboards but it is reported that Chris Hutchings is very close to signing Marlon Harewood from West Ham United and Michael Gnasher Brown from Fulham.

The Guardian and Daily Mail have reported that Mr Brown was meeting with the powers that be at the JJB to tie up the deal and make his move North from the London Club. Brown has been a target of the Latics for some time now, who was reported to be tracking him while he was at Tottenham but missed out after he chose Fulham(of all clubs). Silly boy!!.

The Wigan manager has also stepped up his chase for another striker, with a £3.2million offer for Marlon Harewood being rumoured. Like Brown, he has been long admired by the Latics, and the Guardian are claiming Wigan are winning the race to sign the West Ham

strikeg, who has also been linked with Birmingham, Aston Villa and Manchester City to name a few.

Will he stay or will he go now.....

Sunderland have today upped their efforts to land our lovable left back Leighton Baines. It seems that Bainsey is hot property and Sunderland have today raised the stakes in landing the U21 star with a reported £5,000 000 bid.

With two previous bids tabled by Mr Keane knocked back by Wigan, the coffers could well be quaffed for Mr Hutchings if the Latics decide the new bid is too much too resist.

Leighton is a big favourite at Wigan and holds the record for most first team appearances in the Premiership. He will be sadly be missed if the Chairman and club decide to sell.

Skoko stays....

Josip Skoko today ended any speculation of leaving the JJB after putting pen to paper and signing a new 1 year deal at the club.

The 31yr old's future was in doubt when he was reported to be stalling on signing the new deal offered by new manager Chris Hutchings. Although the deal is subject to a work permit that has been applied for but this is not thought to be a problem.

No further news/speculation is currently being banded about across the VPN's of the world wide web although no doubt further links to players will appear in the next 24 hours.

The race for Jase heats up...

The race to sign West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas hots up for Chris Hutchings and Wigan Athletic. It is reported that the Latics are set to increase their offer to get their man sooner rather than later.

West Brom missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, making it ever more likely that Koumas would leave.

Latics boss Chris Hutchings is still confident of signing Koumas and says the situation is on-going.
"We made a substantial bid for Jason Koumas which was rejected - but our efforts are still alive," Hutchings told the Wigan Evening Post.

Latest Tenuous Links

Svetoslav Todorov (after he rejected Portsmouth's new contract offer because he was not happy with the terms of the one-year extension with a further year depending on appearances).

Andy Todd (after being released by Blackburn Rovers with a year still left to run on his contract).