Unlike many clubs whose crests are centred on animals or nicknames, Wigan’s identity has long been linked to the famous Tree and Crown emblem associated with the borough.
For much of the club’s early history, Wigan Athletic did not consistently use a dedicated football crest on its shirts. When an official badge was adopted, it drew inspiration from the coat of arms of the County Borough of Wigan, which had been granted on 28 April 1922. The civic arms were regarded as particularly prestigious, containing numerous symbols associated with royal favour and local history.
The original borough coat of arms incorporated several elements that would later become closely associated with Wigan Athletic. Among the most significant were the Plantagenet crown, represented by a crown of fleur-de-lis, and the famous wiggin tree, a symbol deeply connected to the town's heritage. These features would become central to future club badges.
Around the time Wigan Athletic gained Football League status in 1978, the club began using a simplified emblem commonly known as the “Tree and Crown” badge. The design focused on two of the most recognisable elements from the borough arms: the Plantagenet crown and the wiggin tree. The badge proved popular with supporters and became closely associated with the club during its rise through the lower divisions of English football.
In 1989, Wigan Athletic adopted a new crest based on the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan. This redesign strengthened the connection between the club and the local authority, reflecting a trend among many English clubs during the period to use civic heraldry as part of their identity.
The borough-arms design remained in use throughout some of the most important years in the club’s history, including its climb through the Football League and eventual promotion to the Premier League. However, many supporters retained a strong affection for the earlier Tree and Crown emblem.
As a result, a significant change arrived ahead of the 2008–09 season, Wigan Athletic’s fourth campaign in the Premier League. The club decided to reintroduce the much-loved Tree and Crown badge, updating it with a cleaner and more modern appearance. The redesigned crest retained the traditional symbols while incorporating sharper artwork, contemporary styling and the club’s foundation year, 1932.
The return of the Tree and Crown was warmly received by supporters, who viewed it as a restoration of an important part of the club’s heritage. The badge successfully balanced tradition and modernity while reconnecting Wigan Athletic with one of its most recognisable historical symbols.
Wigan Athletic FC Club History
Wigan Athletic Football Club was founded in 1932 and is the latest in a long line of football clubs to represent the town of Wigan. Established following the collapse of Wigan Borough, the new club quickly became an important part of the local sporting community and spent many years competing in regional and non-league competitions.
For much of its early history, Wigan Athletic played at Springfield Park, a ground that served as the club’s home for more than six decades. The stadium witnessed the club’s rise from non-league football into the professional ranks and became a focal point for generations of supporters.
A major milestone came in 1978 when Wigan Athletic was elected to the Football League, replacing Southport. Admission to the League marked the beginning of a new era and provided the platform for the club’s steady rise through the English football pyramid.
The club enjoyed increasing success during the 1980s and 1990s, winning promotions and establishing itself as a competitive Football League side. Under chairman Dave Whelan, who purchased the club in 1995, Wigan embarked on the most successful period in its history. Significant investment and ambitious management transformed the Latics from a lower-division club into a team capable of competing at the highest levels of English football.
In 1999, Wigan left Springfield Park and moved to the newly built DW Stadium, which remains the club’s home today. The modern stadium symbolised the club’s growing ambitions and provided facilities suitable for higher levels of competition.
The early 2000s brought unprecedented success. Wigan achieved promotion to the Championship in 2003 and, just two years later, reached the Premier League for the first time in its history. The club adapted remarkably well to top-flight football and quickly established itself among England’s elite.
The greatest achievement in Wigan Athletic’s history came in 2013 when the club won the FA Cup. In one of the competition’s greatest modern upsets, Wigan defeated Manchester City 1–0 at Wembley Stadium thanks to a late goal from Ben Watson. The victory secured the first major trophy in the club’s history and earned a place in the UEFA Europa League. Although Wigan suffered relegation from the Premier League just days later, the FA Cup triumph remains the defining moment in the club’s history.
The years that followed brought a mixture of promotions, relegations and financial challenges. Despite these difficulties, Wigan continued to demonstrate resilience and retained a strong connection with its supporters and local community.
Since joining the Football League in 1978, Wigan has developed several notable rivalries. The club’s principal derby rivals are Bolton Wanderers, with meetings between the two clubs attracting significant interest across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Other local rivalries exist with Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Manchester City and Rochdale.
One of Wigan’s oldest rivalries was with nearby Lancashire club Chorley. The two sides frequently met during their non-league years, although the rivalry has largely faded due to the clubs competing in different divisions since their last league meetings in the Northern Premier League in 1971.
