SINCE the JJB Stadium opened a couple of years ago, Wigan Athletic's gates have averaged around 5,500.

The town has always been 'rugby league' but chairman Dave Whelan says he will not be satisfied until he gets Premiership football.

The stadium seats 25,000 but realistically Wigan can't expect to get full houses every week.

As far as I'm aware, they have only had two big gates since the stadium was built: 11,000 against Burnley and 15,000 against Preston.

Dave Whelan is very ambitious but you need support and backing to achieve what he wants in the future. Wigan Athletic will need a lot more than the 5,500 loyal diehards if they are to achieve their ambition.

M HIBBERT, Ivan Street, Burnley.