A FORMER Premier League stadium has received a bizarre new name – but there is a heartwarming reason behind it.
Wigan Athletic won promotion to the top-flight in 2005 under Paul Jewell.
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Against all the odds, the Latics managed to defy the odds and stay up for eight years before finally suffering relegation in 2013.
However, even that year saw the club make history as they famously beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup.
The 25,138-seater DW Stadium, which opened in 1999 and is also home to Rugby League giants Wigan Warriors, hosted all of the ups and downs throughout that period, including Europa League matches after their Wembley success.
However, things have continued to go downhill since and they now find themselves in League One.
However, under boss and former midfield star Shaun Maloney, hopes are high that years of struggles are coming to an end and they can try and push for promotion next term.
And that will all be done at their newly-named home – The Brick Community Stadium.
Fans were initially in shock at the news, but now the club have explained the reason behind the switch.
A statement explained: “The renaming of Wigan’s historic multi-sports stadium is in partnership with local charity, The Brick, whose work began over 100 years ago to improve the lives of those in the town most in need.
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“The Brick delivers effective solutions to address poverty and homelessness across the Wigan and Leigh Borough, providing supported and emergency accommodation services, street outreach services, wrap-around person-led support, a food community, and affordable furniture and essential household items to make a house a home.”
It added: “The inspirational charity, which was Latics’ Official Charity Partner in both 2017/18 and 2018/19, has a long-standing affiliation with the Football Club, collectively raising much-needed funds to help people who are homeless, in poverty, or facing a debt crisis.
“The name will initially remain in place until the end of 2025 with further support for local charities to be announced in the coming weeks.
“Both clubs will also continue to work together to secure a long-term commercial stadium partner for 2026 and beyond.”
Both clubs have also vowed to work closely with The Brick to explore other ways that the partnership can benefit the town.
Wigan Athletic chairman, Ben Goodburn, said: “The Stadium is a spiritual home for so many of our loyal fans across both clubs, many of whom will have been, in some way, impacted by the positive work of The Brick.”
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