Online Pro-Evolution Soccer League

We have been contacted to plug a spanking new online Pro-Evolution Soccer League, which we have been told is being run for players who want to have fun.

Thankfully for us at PARALATIC (who will be entering a team) rubbish players are encouraged to join as it’s all about enjoyment.

The organizers are local men of high standing, but stress that the league is open to supporters of any team, from Latics to Leicester to Liverpool to Leigh RMI.

Please visit their website at this link: www.pro-evo-league.co.nr

The £50,000 Pair of Boots

Dave Whelan today questioned why the well-off Pascal Chimbonda needed an £18,000 loan from his agent Willie McKay when he moved from Latics to Tottenham in 2006.

Chimbonda, 28, was questioned by City of London police last week on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and bailed until October.

The police are anxious to establish that any loans paid to players are not for the purpose of avoiding tax because loans are not taxable.

Yet Chimbonda talked Whelan into loaning him £50,000 for a pair of boots (and a car – Ed) when he initially signed from Bastia in 2005.

"Chimbonda told me he was skint and wanted a loan” said Whelan, "we are a football club, not a bank and I said I didn't loan players money.

"But he wanted to buy a car and didn't have a decent pair of boots, [so] we organised a bank loan of £50,000 for him, with a warranty that the money would come out of his wages if he didn't pay it back.

"He paid the bank, as far as I know, and we just guaranteed it."

Chimbonda went on to sign a new, improved contract at Latics before his £4.5m switch to White Hart Lane.

"I can't believe Chimbonda would have needed another loan," said Whelan.

His totally above-board agent, Mr. Willie “Totally-Above-Board” McKay said: "I have done this before for many of my players if they are short. If it was underhand why would I give him a cheque from my bank account?"

Wigan Athletic v Fulham Preview

Fulham travel to the JJB tomorrow (Saturday) looking for their first away win this season, whilst Latics have not yet lost at home.

Kevin Kilbane is banned for this game only after his dismissal at Newcastle.

Recent signing Salomon Olembe is not yet fully match-fit. Antonio Valencia (knee) and Denny Landzaat (fractured eye socket) are also out.

Defender Aaron Hughes is set to make his debut for Fulham after an ankle injury.

Striker David Healy should start for the visitors and new signings Danny Murphy, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Shefki Kuqi are expected to be on the bench.

Recent talk has all been about Emile Heskey’s excellent performances for England, but other teams should beware that Latics don’t utilize him as England do, with Hutchings trusting to Heskey’s other skills, rather than simply using him as a holding player.

Indeed, in this vein, Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez said of the England Striker: "I have always liked Emile, I think he has been given a hard time but it is nice to see an English team whack the ball up to a centre-forward to head down for the little striker to score”.

Latics (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Boyce, Brown, Scharner, Koumas, Sibierski, Heskey, Skoko, Bent, Aghahowa, Bouaouzan, Cotterill, Hall, Olembe, Pollitt.

Fulham (from): Niemi, Warner, Keller, Volz, Baird, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Hughes, Davis, Smertin, Murphy, Seol, Davies, Healy, Dempsey, Konchesky, Kamara, John, Kuqi.

Referee: Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)

History

Fulham started its existence in 1879 as Fulham St Andrew's Church Sunday School, founded by worshippers at the C of E church on Star Road, West Kensington, which still stands today with a plaque commemorating the team's foundation. They won the West London Amateur Cup in 1887 and, having shortened the name to its present form in 1888, they then won the West London League in 1893 at the first attempt. One of the club's first ever kits was half red, half white shirts with white shorts worn in the 1886-7 season.[3] Fulham started playing at their current ground Craven Cottage in 1896, their first game against now defunct rivals Minerva F.C.

Latics' Rachid Bouaouzan in Action

Here's a video of our new signing Rachid Bouaouzan in action for Sparta Rotterdam.

Bouaouzan gained notoriety in Holland when he broke the right leg of striker Niels Kokmeijer in a first division game in December 2004 (seen in this video).

Kokmeijer, then with Go Ahead Eagles, suffered multiple fractures and was forced to retire from the game. Bouaouzan was suspended for the rest of the season by Sparta, a sentence greater than the 10-game penalty handed down by KNVB, Dutch football's governing body.

However, in an unprecedented move, Bouaouzan was taken to court by the Dutch government and Kokmeijer on a charge of battery. In August 2005, he was found guilty and received a suspended six-month jail sentence and ordered to serve 200 hours of community service.

Thanks to Handsome Jimmy Bullard for finding this, and well done Chris Hutchings for signing a tackling midfielder. Bravo!

Transfer Day Round-up

Latics have signed Marcus Bent on a season's loan from Charlton Athletic.

We are the 10th club of Bent's career, which includes spells at Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Everton and Charlton.

After a £2.5million move from Everton in January last year, he scored just five goals in 52 appearances.

Hutchings, though, feels Bent's experience will prove invaluable and is delighted with his ninth signing of the summer.

"It's a great deal. We've got him on loan, which is a convenient arrangement for us" said Hutchings. "Marcus has played the majority of his career in the top flight, he's been there and done it, and knows how to look after himself at this level.

"He is a clever player who can fulfil a number of roles and whose game is far more than just about scoring. He's lively and brings others into play. He's a street-wise sort of player, who never gives any less than 100 per cent and is one of those lads you want on your side.

"I've always said that I'll only bring in players who I think will add a new dimension to the squad and I think Marcus fits the bill."

The arrival of Bent has allowed Latics to sell Caleb Folan to Hull City for a Tigers club record of £1m, with the 23-year-old signing a three-year contract. Folan spent a month on loan with the Tigers in 2001, but without making a first-team start. Folan joined Latics in January for £500,000 from Chesterfield, scoring twice in 16 appearances.

Dutch winger Rachid Bouaouzan has joined Latics from Sparta Rotterdam for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has signed a three-year contract at the JJB.

Chris Hutchings said: "I know he has been chased by several clubs, so I am delighted he has chosen to join us.

"He has bags of potential and exactly what it takes to be a success in this country. We were very keen to get him on board."

Bouaouzan, who is of Moroccan descent, was apparently persuaded to join Latics after speaking with Mario Melchiot and Denny Landzaat.

19 year-old striker Jonathan Smith has been released by Latics to be snapped up by Aberdeen on a one-year deal.

Henri Camara has joined West Ham United on a year long loan with a view to a permanent move. "If I don't get another chance, I'd like to thank all the Wigan Athletic supporters and the staff at the club who have made this a special two years for me. Let's see what the future holds in store!" said Camara