Sport
Wigan unites in paying tribute to ‘much-loved’ local fan, Darren Orme, after body is found
The clubs and the town as a whole are in mourning.
Danny Jones -
27th March 2025 
Wigan teams and the rest of the community have been paying tribute to local fan Darren Orme, whose body was sadly found earlier this week.
The passionate Wigan Athletic supporter was a regular at both The Brick Community Stadium and the Latics’ former home, Spingfield Park. He was tragically found dead on Monday, 24 March, after being declared missing nearly three weeks ago.
As a “much-loved” personality on matchdays, his loss has hit both fan bases and the town as a whole hard, with countless locals sharing their condolences over the past few days.
Paying their respects to “a popular supporter” known to “thousands” for his “tireless efforts following the Latics“, the club shared a lengthy tribute to Orme on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old was last seen around 9pm on 5 March around the junction between Woodhouse Lane, Scot Lane and Beech Hill. Large-scale searches had been carried out by the local authorities and groups of volunteers following his disappearance.
His body was eventually located the body along a stretch of the River Douglas near Stadium Way just down from The Brick and Robin Park Arena.
Greater Manchester Police have since said they believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
The Official Wigan Athletic Supporters Group – which Orme was a member of for the best part of four decades – said they have been left “devastated” by his passing, adding: “Darren was Wigan Athletic through and through, and he lived and breathed blue and white.
“We know that Darren will always be cheering Latics on in spirit.”
As for Wigan Warriors, who recognised him as an equally beloved character up in the stands, the team joined their footballing counterparts in paying a heartfelt tribute, with hundreds of fans laying flowers and wreaths outside the ground.
🌹 This morning, Wigan Warriors players and staff laid a wreath outside The Brick Community Stadium in memory of Darren Orme.
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) March 26, 2025
RIP Darren 💙 pic.twitter.com/EZjcttlSlz
Writing as part of a joint statement on the club website, the rugby league side said: “We join in sending our sincerest condolences to Darren’s friends and family, and we ask supporters to respect their privacy during this extremely difficult time.
Flowers, shirts, and scarves have since been placed outside The Brick Community Stadium next to the beloved Dave Whelan statue; fans have been leaving messages in the Book of Condolences all week, and the club united in a minute’s applause before their home draw against Barnsley FC on Saturday.
Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, his fellow supporters and all those whose lives Darren Orme touched – rest in peace.
💙 For Darren. 🤍#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/KoEqvNhsV8
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) March 29, 2025
Read more:
- Former Manchester City player Joey Barton found guilty of assaulting his wife
- Wigan band The Lilacs postpone tour after ‘ironic’ cancer diagnosis
- Two Greater Manchester-based Paralympians pick up MBEs following Paris 2024 heroics
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Greater Manchester Police/Wigan Warriors
