One of the delights of this season to date has been the catering at some of the grounds where Hereford have played at this season.
Wimborne and Slimbridge, for examples, stick in the mind using good food from local producers. It leads one to question why the catering at Hereford can't use more local produce.
It's a similar situation at Wigan according to an article highlighted by the FSF which originated at The Pie At Night.
Like
many grounds across the country, the DW Stadium suffers from some very
questionable match-day catering. Alan Moore from the Pie At Night, tells
us what Wigan fans are doing about it...
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Like
many grounds across the country, the DW Stadium suffers from some very
questionable match-day catering. Alan Moore from the Pie At Night, tells
us what Wigan fans are doing about it...
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Like
many grounds across the country, the DW Stadium suffers from some very
questionable match-day catering. Alan Moore from the Pie At Night, tells
us what Wigan fans are doing about it...
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Have you heard? Respected Mudhutter fanzine editor and author Martin ‘Jimmy’ Tarbuck has started a petition on change.org asking for the powers that be at Wigan Athletic and the DW Stadium to stock pies from local company Galloways rather than some old generic, petrol station fayre.
Unsurprisingly, we’re fully behind him here at Latics fans site and podcast The Pie at Night.
"Wiganers you say? Doing an internet petition about the pies on sale in their stadium? Shouldn’t they be worried about bigger things, like all those empty seats they have on a Saturday? GUFFAW"
Ok, on first look, the idea of campaigning for one brand of pies over another to be sold at a football stadium might seem like a joke, a bit trite or even, given our reputation as ‘pie-eaters’, something that reflects poorly on stereotypical images of Wigan and Wiganers.
But when it comes down to it, this is none of those, there's a serious point (or several) here…
Firstly, Wigan Athletic won the FSF's Premier League Away Day of the Year in 2015, partially at least, on the strength of the pies we served at the time (the now defunct Pooles). THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER in how people view their visits to other football clubs and no one deserves rubbish pies. The last couple of years of Hollands have been dire. Imagine having to eat something like Pukka or Ginsters?
That sort of thing should definitely be left to truck drivers, travelling salesmen and rubbish indie bands touring the country in the vain hope of being the next Oasis.
Secondly, I'm fairly fed up of hearing how great the catering is at places like Reading or Brighton. Sorry, that’s not fair, I’m not fed up, I’m jealous of clubs where they go a bit further than the minimum and try to inject a bit of local flavour or variation into what they offer fans. Is it important?
Well, fans didn’t invent the phrase "match-day experience" or put going to the game in competition with going to the pictures or a gig, but in that context it does matter, a lot, being a bit different and having some character is going to get people through the turnstiles, surely? As for the fans, as I’ve already said, THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER.
Finally and more than anything is something that isn’t a little thing at all. We can talk all we like about the commercialisation of the game or about fans being treated as consumers but regardless of how far down that line your club has gone (and we’re fairly lucky on that front at Wigan) it doesn’t mask the truth that a football club is more than a just a business or a sports team.
Whether they like it or not, they are a key part of the community, a focal point for local people and one of the few remaining opportunities those people have to gather together to try and show some civic pride.
That brings with it responsibilities (which again, Latics are pretty good with as their regular nominations, and awards, as ‘Northwest Community Club of the Year’ show) but also opportunities. Opportunities to support more than just the community, opportunities to promote other local businesses, support local jobs and strengthen the local economy.
So, yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’ (three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel you're not *that* bothered about it.
Because whether you support Latics, support Wigan or not, whether you're from Wigan or not, you know it makes sense and you sort of wish your club would do something similar.
Alan Moore
www.thepieatnight.co.uk
Thanks to Richard Pope for the image used in this article. Reproduced here under Creative Commons license.
- See more at: http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
So,
yes, have a laugh at our pie obsession, chuck in a few ‘Wigan Kebab’
(three pies on a stick) or ‘Wigan wedding cake’ (three pies on top of
each other) jokes, or even a few empty seat jibes, but then have a
proper think about this. Then sign the petition, even if you feel
you're not *that* bothered about it. - See more at:
http://www.fsf.org.uk/blog/view/little-things-matter-wigan-fans-aim-to-improve-matchday-pies#sthash.ZaL9eBMs.dpuf
Here at the Pie At Night we believe in attending a football match
(or indeed rugby) involves more than just watching the game. A pie, a
pint, a chat with your mates are all part of the matchday experience.
We have had numerous conversations about the standard of match day catering at the DW Stadium over the past few years and it seems that there is a window of opportunity upon us to try and influence this over the next few months.
With this in mind, we thought we would direct your attention to the following petition:
https://www.change.org/p/we-want-galloways-pies-at-the-dw-stadium-wigan-on-matchdays
Wigan as a town is famous for many things: Uncle Joes mintballs, Northern Soul, Football AND Rugby League (*see below). Sir Bradley Wiggins (sort of). George Formby. Kym Marsh. Limahl. June Croft. Orrell RUFC. The Verve. Hacker T Dogg.
However, the town of Wigan is also famous for PIES. Whereas the origins of the nickname “pie eaters” is of somewhat dubious origins, which we’re not going to worry about or go into too much detail right now, the fact of the matter is that we love PIES.
(*whereas football and rugby fans in Wigan don’t always get on, I think we can all agree that this is a matter where any petty differences can be put firmly aside by ALL Sports fans in the town for the greater good)
We like eating pies and we have many, many good bakers who make great pies within the town of Wigan for the locals to devour.
I could just tell you this without research but I HAVE researched it in my book, Life of Pies (http://www.lifeofpies.co.uk) and having travelled the country in search of the perfect pie, I can tell you that the best meat and potato pies in the country can be found within the fine old borough of Wigan (and also Barrow, but again, let’s not worry about that right now….)
We also have immense pride in our town and always want it to feel welcoming to visitors. We love to show them that we live in a place where the locals like their food and drink and know how to have a good time.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of sport. Every year, Wigan is visited by tens of thousands of sports fans from across the country who come to watch a football or rugby match.
They arrive in our town and sample our fine ales and our fine fayre. Yet, upon entering the sporting amphitheatre that is the DW Stadium, they suddenly find their options severely restricted.
Ever since the demise of Pooles’ Pies two years ago, home and visiting football fans have been forced to “enjoy” Hollands Pies of Baxenden on a matchday at a premium price.
Now, there is nothing wrong with Hollands’ Pies. Far from it, they are a staple feature of many a freezer section or chip shop counter across the North of England.
But as we have established, the town of Wigan is famous for pies, and this uniqueness should be embraced within the confines of the local football stadium.
We are known for our hospitality in our town and our respective football and rugby clubs should be serving up a PROPER WIGAN PIE on a matchday to sports fans, NOT a generic Hollands meat and potato, which you can buy from your local supermarket.
The town’s reputation is at stake here!
It has become apparent from activity on social media that Wigan’s biggest and finest pie makers, Galloways have approached the DW to supply the pies on match days but were sadly rebuffed.
We also understand that the club(s) current catering deal is up for renewal and they are considering (yet again) going outside of the town of Wigan for the matchday catering facilities.
We hereby URGE the powers that be at the DW Stadium, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors to consider supplying pies on matchdays made by an AUTHENTIC WIGAN PIE MAKER.
Galloways have already expressed an interest, and imagine the glee which would result from both Wiganers and travelling sports fans if fantastic, Wigan baked, glorious, Galloways meat and potato pies were served up on matchdays instead of the ubiquitous Hollands.
Or as an alternative, the Muffin Man or Bowens of nearby Adlington also make a smashing meat and potato pie and could quite possibly scale up to meet the needs of thousands of football and rugby fans.
Nearly half a million people watch sport at the DW Stadium during the course of a year. If each of them got a pie each, this could represent close to a million pounds going directly into a local Wigan business rather than to some mass producers of frozen pies from elsewhere.
So this petition is about saving jobs as much as winning hearts and minds. If clubs like Morecambe, Tottenham, Brighton and Fulham can provide personalised pies, then surely Wigan should follow suit in order to retain its reputation at the top of the sporting “pie tree”.
We, the undersigned, demand that the DW Stadium provides an authentic Wigan pie on matchdays for home and visiting supporters
Please click the following link to sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/we-want-galloways-pies-at-the-dw-stadium-wigan-on-matchdays
We have had numerous conversations about the standard of match day catering at the DW Stadium over the past few years and it seems that there is a window of opportunity upon us to try and influence this over the next few months.
With this in mind, we thought we would direct your attention to the following petition:
https://www.change.org/p/we-want-galloways-pies-at-the-dw-stadium-wigan-on-matchdays
We, the undersigned, demand that the DW Stadium provides an authentic Wigan pie on matchdays for home and visiting supportersNot convinced yet? Then please read on. Because PIES MATTER….
Wigan as a town is famous for many things: Uncle Joes mintballs, Northern Soul, Football AND Rugby League (*see below). Sir Bradley Wiggins (sort of). George Formby. Kym Marsh. Limahl. June Croft. Orrell RUFC. The Verve. Hacker T Dogg.
However, the town of Wigan is also famous for PIES. Whereas the origins of the nickname “pie eaters” is of somewhat dubious origins, which we’re not going to worry about or go into too much detail right now, the fact of the matter is that we love PIES.
(*whereas football and rugby fans in Wigan don’t always get on, I think we can all agree that this is a matter where any petty differences can be put firmly aside by ALL Sports fans in the town for the greater good)
We like eating pies and we have many, many good bakers who make great pies within the town of Wigan for the locals to devour.
I could just tell you this without research but I HAVE researched it in my book, Life of Pies (http://www.lifeofpies.co.uk) and having travelled the country in search of the perfect pie, I can tell you that the best meat and potato pies in the country can be found within the fine old borough of Wigan (and also Barrow, but again, let’s not worry about that right now….)
We also have immense pride in our town and always want it to feel welcoming to visitors. We love to show them that we live in a place where the locals like their food and drink and know how to have a good time.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of sport. Every year, Wigan is visited by tens of thousands of sports fans from across the country who come to watch a football or rugby match.
They arrive in our town and sample our fine ales and our fine fayre. Yet, upon entering the sporting amphitheatre that is the DW Stadium, they suddenly find their options severely restricted.
Ever since the demise of Pooles’ Pies two years ago, home and visiting football fans have been forced to “enjoy” Hollands Pies of Baxenden on a matchday at a premium price.
Now, there is nothing wrong with Hollands’ Pies. Far from it, they are a staple feature of many a freezer section or chip shop counter across the North of England.
But as we have established, the town of Wigan is famous for pies, and this uniqueness should be embraced within the confines of the local football stadium.
We are known for our hospitality in our town and our respective football and rugby clubs should be serving up a PROPER WIGAN PIE on a matchday to sports fans, NOT a generic Hollands meat and potato, which you can buy from your local supermarket.
The town’s reputation is at stake here!
It has become apparent from activity on social media that Wigan’s biggest and finest pie makers, Galloways have approached the DW to supply the pies on match days but were sadly rebuffed.
We also understand that the club(s) current catering deal is up for renewal and they are considering (yet again) going outside of the town of Wigan for the matchday catering facilities.
We hereby URGE the powers that be at the DW Stadium, Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors to consider supplying pies on matchdays made by an AUTHENTIC WIGAN PIE MAKER.
Galloways have already expressed an interest, and imagine the glee which would result from both Wiganers and travelling sports fans if fantastic, Wigan baked, glorious, Galloways meat and potato pies were served up on matchdays instead of the ubiquitous Hollands.
Or as an alternative, the Muffin Man or Bowens of nearby Adlington also make a smashing meat and potato pie and could quite possibly scale up to meet the needs of thousands of football and rugby fans.
Nearly half a million people watch sport at the DW Stadium during the course of a year. If each of them got a pie each, this could represent close to a million pounds going directly into a local Wigan business rather than to some mass producers of frozen pies from elsewhere.
So this petition is about saving jobs as much as winning hearts and minds. If clubs like Morecambe, Tottenham, Brighton and Fulham can provide personalised pies, then surely Wigan should follow suit in order to retain its reputation at the top of the sporting “pie tree”.
We, the undersigned, demand that the DW Stadium provides an authentic Wigan pie on matchdays for home and visiting supporters
Please click the following link to sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/we-want-galloways-pies-at-the-dw-stadium-wigan-on-matchdays