The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world we live in, but it's safe to say there have been lots of positives among what has been and continues to be a challenging time for everyone.

A glimmer of light within the Wigan Athletic community has been the emergence of eSports Wigan Athletic, our VPG (Virtual Pro Gaming) FIFA 20 pro club, which has united a group of Latics supporters and fellow football fans, spearheaded by Latics fan and YouTuber, Louis Ellis.

Louis, or LE96z as he's know to his 111,000 subscribers, was contacted by our media team about representing the club on its first eSports voyage - so in our episode 27 of Latics Listen, he's going to explain exactly what eSports is, exactly how he helped to form our team and exactly how it's benefited a group of like-minded football fans, with a positive impact on mental health.

eSports Wigan Athletic compete in the VPG England Partnered English Premier and at the time of recording sit ninth out of 18, having won nine of their opening 21 matches. Be sure to follow the team on Twitter @eSportsWigan for all of the latest updates, with every game streamed live on Mondays, Tuesday and Thursday on the official Wigan Athletic YouTube channel.

As is now customary on our Latics Listen episodes, we also asked Louis about his favourite Latics things, which bizarrely finds us listening to a story about a hotel fire, Leighton Baines and an embarrassing Dad - yep, it's as strange as it sounds.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

If you'd like to feature on a future episode of the podcast or have someone to nominate for a chat with our team, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

In our third instalment of Latics Listen during 'lockdown', Progress with Unity podcast presenter Simon Gregory picks up his 'hat-trick ball' from the Latics Listen 'studio', making his third appearance on the pod, as he tells us how grateful he's been to fellow Latics fans for their personal support during this challenging time, as well as some hurdles to overcome.

Later in the episode we find out everything about Simon's top three Latics players, managers, kits, matches and fellow supporters in our regular end of the pod segment.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

If you'd like to feature on a future episode of the podcast or have someone to nominate for a chat with our team, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

We're back! Latics Latics has returned and we're kick starting the season by chatting to YOU, our loyal supporters!

A Latics supporter since the 1970s and former steward, George Chilvers was the first supporter we called via Zoom. A season card holder who goes to matches with his son Stefan and grandson Ben, George isn't just a long-serving fan of the club, but also forms a key part in bringing our history to life in full colour.

George's skill in colourising black and white images, both Latics and wider football and sport, breathes new life and character into some of our oldest documented images - a fascinating subject which can be seen in all of its glory on his Facebook page - Colourised by George - with particular focus on his Wigan Athletic images a must see.

As well as giving us an insight into his passion away from the pitch, George relays his story of supporting Latics, including how the community spirit and sense of family still captures his imagination to this day.

To see each episode out, we'll also be asking each supporter some 'Top Threes' - finding out about favourite players, managers, kits, matches and fellow supporters met through the love of Latics.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

If you'd like to feature on a future episode of the podcast or have someone to nominate for a chat with our team, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Picture this, you're an avid (and relatively successful) Football Manager player (sure we can all relate to taking a team from the National League North to the Champions League final, right?) - but, one day you get the call for real (ok, virtually for real then) to become the boss for your childhood football club.

Well, that was the case for Jordan Coyle back in April when he was contacted about becoming our Football Manager 20 EFL Cup gaffer, as clubs from across the three EFL divisions helped to form a positive distraction from the challenging climate we're in, whilst supporting the life-changing work carried out by mental health charity, Mind.

Of course Jordan said yes, managing your club and doing it for a good cause, what's not to love? Well, perhaps calls for 'Coyle Out' or 'why's he bringing Garner on?' - only for Joe Garner to arrive from the bench in Jordan's first round tie against Rotherham United, subsequently bagging him a hat-trick in a 5-1 win!

Success continued into the second round with another high-scoring victory, 4-1 this time against Newport County, but Jordan's campaign was cut short in the last 16, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Swansea City.

It was well worth a catch up with Jordan to speak about his time 'in charge' of Latics, but also to see how he's been getting on and learn more about his following of Latics, something we're keen to share with YOU, our loyal supporters!

To see each episode out, we'll also be asking each supporter some 'Top Threes' - finding out about favourite players, managers, kits, matches and, with Jordan, seeing who he recommends Latics supporters should follow on Twitter.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

If you'd like to feature on a future episode of the podcast or have someone to nominate for a chat with our team, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

In episode 26, Progress With Unity podcast's Simon Gregory will be collecting his hat-trick ball, as he joins Nick Taylor via video call to talk about life without live football during lockdown, the challenges he has faced on a personal level through the Coronavirus Crisis and the importance of the support received from fellow Latics fans.

Anthony Pilkington gets ready for a return to his old stomping ground,

U23 leading scorer Charlie Jolley on Latics’ Premier League Cup progression,

Nick Chadwick on learning from the U23s’ recent defeat to Huddersfield,

Leon Balogun visits Chorley St James’ as part of the EFL Week of Action,

And the Lilacs play us out with Vicarage Road.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

It’s a packed episode this week, with…

Gary Roberts on Latics’ hat-trick of victories,
Gregor Rioch on Academy successes,
Nick Chadwick and Emeka Obi on the U23s’ win on Monday,
Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s latest award,
and Stanleys play us out with A Better Life...

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Reaction straight from the Madejski with Paul Cook and Jamal Lowe,

Messages to Chey Dunkley following his injury on Wednesday night,

Analysis from Tommy Gore and Guy Clarke on a dominant victory,

FA Youth Cup quarter final previews with Peter Murphy and Harry Jolley,

Plus… a new Match Day Wrapped segment, with the Lottery Winners playing us out!

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

*Thank you to the Lottery Winners for contributing to this episode with their track '21'. All rights to the music in this episode are reserved to the Lottery Winners.*

We're back with a whistle-stop tour of the weekly goings on at Wigan Athletic and Wigan Athletic Community Trust!

Our in-depth chat with Leon Balogun reveals some interesting truths about his favourite things at Euxton… the shower facilities... plus, of course, insight into Latics' dressing room and why the on loan Brighton & Hove Albion defender believes Latics have got what it takes to face the challenge of surviving the Sky Bet Championship head on!

We've also been down to Stadium Way for one of the Community Trust's half term Soccer Schools, as U23 midfielder Scott Smith and central defender Adam Long emphasise the importance of giving back to the local community, as well as their thoughts on how things are going after Nick Chadwick's side continued their impressive 100% start to 2020.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

It's been a fascinating week or so at Wigan Athletic, with a last minute winner against Sheffield Wednesday, history repeating itself in our victory at Elland Road and new memories made, as Latics' Under 18s became to first side to reach the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup for the club.

We also added three brand new players, with Leon Balogun, Alex Dobre and Jan Mlakar all joining the club on loan.

Get stuck into the action from the last 10 days, with our feature interview from Man of the Match at Leeds United, Cedric Kipre, before saying hello to our new loan players from Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth.

Last, but by no means least, we head to Lancashire FA's County Ground for reaction from Wednesday night's 4-0 victory over Birmingham City in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, as we're joined by U18 coach Peter Murphy, defender James Carragher and midfielder Jensen Weir.

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

With Jamal Lowe's 90th minute winner fresh in our minds, the goal scorer himself, the gaffer and our Latics TV duo of Tommy Gore and Guy Clarke take us through the action from the 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at the DW Stadium.

Plus, we look ahead to our return to Elland Road, reliving last season's 10-man heroics!

Catch this week's episode via SoundCloud above, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Buzzsprout by searching for Latics Listen.

Got a question to ask one of the players are want to feature on an episode? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]