Wigan kick off the season away to Everton....

It's that time of the year again. Eagerly anticipated in every football fan's calendar - Fixture release day. Once again we have been drawn away in our first game of the new camapaign. I just hope that the nailbiting dosen't last until our final game of the season which sees the latics host Manchester United.

Chris Hutchings commented after seeing the fixtures "I am pleased with the forthcoming fixture list list for the new season and cannot wait to get started with the players".

"But having said that, we have avoided the really big boys early on, so we are confident we can make a good start."

"Everton will be a tough game, as every game will be , but it is a ground where we have done well the past two seasons and will go full of confidence. Following that, we have two home games in quick succession and we'll be looking for points there, too, against Middlesbrough and Sunderland. Then we've got West Ham, somewhere we have won three seasons in a row."

"I know we'll be well prepared, and go into those games with the right frame of mind. When you see the fixtures, it gives you the taste for matches again, reminds you why you're here, and now I can't wait to get going and start pre-season."

For a full listing of all the forthcoming season fixtures please follow the link below : -

http://www.wiganlatics.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10429,00.html

**Please be aware that all fixtures are subject to change due to televised games and cup run's etc.**

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Get the new fixtures - direct to your mobile!

One of the most eagerly awaited events in the domestic football calendar takes place on Thursday - the release of next season's fixture lists.

And as usual we'll be bringing all Latics fans the big news as soon as it's available on Thursday 14th June. But for those of you that won't be near a computer that day, you can have the biggest fixtures delivered straight to your mobile phone.

Here's what you can expect to receive:

- Our first four fixtures of the season
- The dates we're playing Bolton Wanderers
- And who we've got on the last day of the season

So to have the main fixture dates delivered directly to your phone via SMS, simply text CLUB WIGAN to 88442 and you'll be among the first to know where we're starting next season.

Once you have registered, Wigan Athletic reserve the right to text you repeatedly with any old shite, and charge you 25p for the privelege. Each time.

Better re-mortgage the house, now.

Rumour and News Roundup

Well it looks like we are managing to hold on to Leighton Baines(for now). It has today been announced that Newcastle United have given up in the chase to sign the U-21 Wigan star. This is due to the fact that Chris Hutchings has put a price tag on the defender of around 5 million pounds. Leighton travelled to Holland with the England U-21 squad and played the 90 minutes last night in the 0 - draw against the fiesty czech's.

Further to our earlier reports of the Latics chasing defender Mario Melchiot...... It was reported that the Wigan boss Chris Hutchings has cooled off his interest in the Rennes star after it was thought he was demanding a 3 year deal to seal the move to the JJB. However, the former Birmingham and Chelsea stalwart spent last season with Rennes but is keen to quit France for a return to the Premiership. He has returned from Holland's tour of South Korea and Thailand and was set to hold talks with Hutchings today(Tuesday).

And Finally.........

After the massive response we had from our last transfer rumour bulletin regarding the loveable Two Teeth Tommy, we can confirm that due to the amount of fan mail Tommy received (of which he thanks you all from the bottom of his cavities), Tommy has also put forward his brother(pictured below) for a vacancy at the JJB. It is rumoured that he will be going for the position of chief Pie taster. Tommy's brother (fat faced freddie) is considered to be an expert in the field of greed. It is thought his favourite dish is Hairy Pie, a delecacy among the East stand massive at the JJB. We wish Freddie all the best in his pursuit of the vacancy and keep piling on the pounds pork chop.

Whelan Sells JJB Stake

Latics chairman Dave Whelan has sold his stake in the JJB Sports company he founded for £190million.

"Retiring from the board and selling my stake in the business I founded has not been an easy decision," said Whelan.

"But it has been made easier by my confidence in the management team. I wish the company every success."

He has sold the Whelan family stake of 29% to a joint venture formed by Icelandic financial group Exista and Chris Ronnie.

Hutchings continues player search.

Fulham have reportedly turned down an undisclosed bid from Wigan Athletic for midfielder and captain Michael Brown.

It is thought Latics boss Chris Hutchings may have offered up to £1.5 Million as he strives to improve his squad for the coming season.

Brown, who joined the Cottagers from Tottenham in January 2006, was an integral part of the Fulham side last season as he made 34 Premiership appearances.

Roy Carroll is also believed to be on the Latics wish list as a back-up/competitor for the sometimes fragile Chris Kirkland.

"We are looking to bring another keeper in," Hutchings said in The Sun. "We need competition all over the park."

Henri Camara is still being linked with Portsmouth and Pompey boss Harry Redknapp admits he is a fan of the Senegalese striker.

"I like Henri Camara but where can you find a striker who is going to guarantee you goals?" said Redknapp.

"If you don't score goals you don't win. That's why they are so valuable.

"We've looked at players in France, but they are not prolific. We're all looking for strikers. The hard bit's finding them."

Hutchings is preparing a £1.5 million bid for Spurs midfielder Danny Murphy according to the Daily Mail. (So it must be true).

Murphy has been linked with a move to Latics for the past two seasons, indeed he was offered by Spurs as part of the Chimbonda deal last August.