Whelan makes cut-price ticket promise

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Earlier this year, the Latics chairman slashed matchday ticket prices to £15 and £20 - depending on opposition - in a bid to boost attendances for the club's final seven league games.

"The town is coming round to the idea that Wigan Athletic are a Premier League side," said Whelan. "We're going to help next season with ticket prices; we want to fill this ground, we want atmosphere. We're going to charge £15, no more than that for all games, while the season tickets are going to be so good and such a keen price."

He added: "We're going to be the cheapest in the land because we do want to continue to build Wigan Athletic's crowds.

"Wigan Rugby League Club are a sell-out against St Helens, which is fantastic, and we want that for Wigan Athletic week in and week out."

Whelan insists the new television deal that comes into force next season is the reason behind the dramatic reduction, and he feels other clubs should follow suit.

Speaking to Channel M, he added: "There is no doubt it has to be done across the board. There are only four or five teams in the Premier League who can command prices of £30, £40, £50. We cannot go anywhere near that.

"But we've got to grasp the nettle and say to people 'bring your family'. It's not cheap. Even for four of them, that's still £60 to watch a football match. That's an awful lot of money.

"But there's mountains of money in this game from television etc, to let people watch this game for as little as £10 to £15.

"So let's lower the prices, let's get people back enjoying the game."