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5 unusual facts about Dave Whelan


2008 Wigan Warriors season

During 2008 Wigan will continue to rebuild their squad under coach Brian Noble but they will have a new owner and chairman in Ian Lenagan from 1 December 2007 after Maurice Lindsay retired and Dave Whelan decided to sell the club.

DW Sports Fitness

Founded in March 2009 when Dave Whelan purchased the 50 JJB Sports Fitness Clubs and the attached retail stores for £83.4 million.

JJB Sports

The original JJB sportshop was founded in the early 1900s and expanded in 1971, when ex-footballer and supermarket chain operator Dave Whelan acquired a single sports shop in Wigan and immediately opened a second sports goods outlet in his Sutton, St Helens, supermarket.

Mike Gregory

This resulted in Mike taking Wigan and the club's owner Dave Whelan to court claiming that Wigan should have done more to help him carry on.

Poole's Pies

Founded by Margaret Poole in 1847, it was later bought by Dave Whelan, the owner of JJB Sports and chairman of Wigan Athletic F.C.



see also