Sport

Wigan Athletic academy product and beloved club ‘servant’ Callum Lang issues emotional goodbye

The Latics have sang their last 'Sweet Callum Lang'.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th January 2024

Wigan Athletic academy product Callum Lang has issued an emotional goodbye after agreeing to leave the club after more than a decade to join Portsmouth FC.

The much-loved club servant and vice-captain who has been with Wigan since the age of 14 was revealed as a Pompey player on Monday, 29 January after joining the title contenders on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Having worked his way through the youth ranks and into the first-team and seen all the clubs’ highs and lows — from seeing them lift the FA Cup against Manchester City as a boy to surviving the administration years and everything in between — being a Latics is virtually all he’s known.

You could say the same for most local fans who grew up in the same generation as him too, with countless supporters jumping online to thank him for his years of service. Unsurprisingly, Lang’s farewell was just heartfelt if not more.

Callum Lang says goodbye to Wigan and the fans wish him nothing but the best of luck.

Insisting that he has “loved every minute” of playing for the Greater Manchester club, he described pulling on the blue and white shirt every week and calling the DW Stadium his home for more than 10 years as “an honour”, insisting that he “always left everything out on the pitch” whenever he played.

ADVERTISEMENT

The now 25-year-old club veteran signed off by saying, “Wigan Athletic, thank you for looking after me. Once a Tic, always a Tic”.

Despite asking to leave the club after having been dropped to the bench on a number of occasions as other senior figures in the team stepped into leadership roles, compounded by a calf injury earlier in the season, there seems to be very little ill feeling in response to his decision to depart.

ADVERTISEMENT

You only have to listen to what the supporters are saying about him now his transfer has gone through to know that he still has a lot of goodwill around the club and its fan base.

Read more:

Making 143 appearances for Wigan and playing a key role in the 2021/22 League One title-winning season, where he registered an impressive career-best of 18 goals, he made more than his contribution to the club during his long run in the team.

However, it was also his conduct and behaviour outside of the club that won him even more fans around Wigan, with many commenting “amazing footballer and an absolute gentleman” and congratulating Portsmouth on signing “a great player and an even better person”.

ADVERTISEMENT

With nearby rivals and fellow title contenders Bolton in second behind Portsmouth, one fan simply signed off by sharing a picture of the table and adding, “You’ve got a job to do”.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Wigan Athletic/Laura Meakin/Portsmouth (via X)

Sport

Real Betis star says club needs ‘crowdfunding’ to keep controversial Manchester United loanee

Danny Jones Danny Jones Isco Real Betis should start a crowdfunder to keep Antony permanent deal

Real Betis fans, players, and staff alike have become quite taken with Manchester United loanee Antony following his move to the Spanish club back in January, so much so that first-team star Isco has called for a crowdfunder to keep him there permanently.

Since arriving at the start of the year, the Brazilian winger has gone on to score four and assist just as many in 12 games across all competitions, which is quite the return compared to just a dozen goals in nearly a century of appearances for Man United.

Whilst the former Real Madrid midfielder was only being half-serious, as hit stats since joining the Seville-based side speak for themselves, he couldn’t have been more sincere in his hopes of keeping Antony at the club for “at least another year.”

Speaking to DAZN following a huge win in the Seville derby – the club’s first victory against Sevilla in the league since 2018 – Isco made it abundantly clear that he and the rest of the team want and need his new attacking partner to stay.

The 32-year-old, who has linked up with Antony on a number of occasions already, told reporters: “We have to crowdfund so he can stay at least another year. We’ve noticed a change since he arrived – he brings us a lot.”

Betis might not be the biggest or wealthiest club in Spain, but remaining within the European places (currently sixth) could prove crucial to their spending this summer, with making Antony’s loan permanent or at least extending further undoubtedly top of the list given the impact he’s had since arriving.

Nevertheless, the biggest problem when it comes to potentially buying the 25-year-old is his salary, as the £86 million signing from Ajax brought to Old Trafford by Erik ten Hag is said to be earning in excess of £100,000 a week.

At present, Real Betis are said to be covering 84% of his wages, and while he’s definitely been worth the financial outlay so far, securing his services full-time could prove fairly tricky and/or costly.

His time at United hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, as not only were there big questions marks around his price tag from the off, but he’s been a divisive member of the squad, to say the least.

Not only has he struggled to make a regular impact in the Premier League goal with just one goal and three assists since his arrival back in September 2022, but he’s also been ridiculed for some of his ‘unnecessary’ antics. Meanwhile, he’s looked like a player reborn at Betis:

Fellow first-team talisman Isco went on to add, “I’m happy to have Antony here. He’s surprised us all with his humility and desire to help.”

Both he and Betis are said to have made it expressly clear that they’d like for his future to remain at the Villamarin Stadium, and it’s fair to say that plenty of United fans wouldn’t mind cashing in on him if possible – some probably more keen than others.

It’s also worth noting that Antony was embroiled in another controversy after being accused of domestic assault, though the charges were ultimately dropped back in August 2024.

Read more:

Regardless, what supporters make of him is largely irrelevant at this point, as head coach Ruben Amorim will be looking to rebuild the squad with players of his choosing as much as possible come the summer.

That being said, the club has warned that incomings during the transfer window are dependent on sales, meaning letting Antony could make sense for all parties involved, as United are likely looking to better balance their books following Jim Ratcliffe’s revelations regarding the state of their finances.

What do you think, Reds? Would you sell him, or are you hoping he brings that form back to Manchester?

Unfortunately, Betis fans, we’re not sure where a crowdfunder would fit in with FFP and PSR rules, so you might just have to hope United and Antony are willing to play ball.

Isco and Antony were two of Real Betis’ biggest threats against Sevilla.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — DAZN (screenshot)/Ardfern (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sport

Manchester Storm legend Cam Critchlow announces retirement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Cam Critchlow retiring Manchester Storm

It’s an emotional day for Manchester Storm die-hards as club legend Cam Critchlow has revealed he will soon be retiring.

Consider this well and truly the end of an era, not just for the local side but for the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) and followers of the game up and down the country.

Manchester Storm supporters have said goodbye to the Cam Critchlow before – more than once, in fact – but this time, we’re sad to say, it’s for good. No, really this time.

Confirmed via an official announcement on Friday evening, 2025 is set to be his last year not only as an EIHL star but as a professional ice hockey player full stop.

Sharing an emotional goodbye in a lengthy and heartfelt statement, the club wrote: “Manchester Storm are set to bid farewell to a true club legend, as it has today been confirmed that Captain Cam Critchlow will be retiring from professional hockey at the end of this season.

“After an illustrious career, Critchlow will hang up his skates, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by fans, teammates, and the entire Storm community.”

The 33-year-old began his playing days back in his home country of Canada before a period in Australia and eventually on the ECHL developmental tier, which serves as a proving ground for the American Hockey League and North American’s premier hockey division, the NHL.

Fast forward to 2018, when Critchlow made his EIHL and Storm debut, it’s fair to say few could have predicted just how much of an icon he would become for the club over the next half-decade, going on to mark his fifth season in Altrincham this year – technically across three spells, but who’s counting?

In addition to the wealth of experience he brought to the team, they describe his contributions as “immeasurable”, a sentiment we’re sure supporters would agree with. Speaking in an extensive and candid interview with the club, he said simply: “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been able to do.”

For Cam Critchlow, retiring was “the most difficult decision” but one that feels like the right one.

To put it in the words of the club, “Over these years, he has been the heartbeat of the Storm, offering leadership, skill, and commitment both on and off the ice.

“As team captain, his work ethic and dedication to the game have been an inspiration to his teammates, and his passion for the sport has endeared him to fans across the region.”

It goes without saying that he has remained one of Manchester Storm’s top performers from start to fairytale returns and now his twilight ending, racking up 203 points and an impressive 260 PIMs in 296 appearances for the local outfit, boasting a total of 68 goals and 135 assists.

Going on to earn dual citizenship here in the UK, he’s also gone on to represent Great Britain more than a dozen times too. Impact, longevity and commitment.

Former Storm colleague Matt Ginn wrote: “Congrats on an outstanding career. Just truly one of the best. As good of a player, captain, leader, and teammate you were, you’re an even better person, and I’m lucky to call you a friend.” He’s also gone on to help inspire the next generation of Manc players.

Storm went on to add: “His on-ice performances will forever be etched in the history of the club, but it is his leadership and character that will leave the most lasting impression.”

Expressing their gratitude for his years of service, they also wished him “nothing but success in all future endeavours”; surely a coaching career beckons next?

In celebration of his illustrious career, the Storm Shelter is set to honour ‘Cap Cam’ as part of a celebration on Friday, 4 April, when they host Guildford Flames at Planet Ice.

They signed off by encouraging fans “to join the club as we come together to celebrate Cam Critchlow’s extraordinary journey and bid him a fond farewell. It promises to be a memorable occasion and a fitting tribute to one of the finest captains the team has ever had.

“Thank you, Cam, for everything you have done for the Manchester Storm. Your efforts will never be forgotten.”

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Mark Ferris/Manchester Storm (via YouTube screenshot)

More Sport

Callum Camps injured Stockport County

Sport

Stockport County’s playoff fortunes hampered following Callum Camps injury

Manchester

The 2025 Manchester Marathon is set to create the UK’s biggest-ever day of running

Darren Orme Wigan fan death tributes

News

Wigan unites in paying tribute to ‘much-loved’ local fan, Darren Orme, after body is found

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches