Anthony Cole-Johnson has officially started as the new CEO of Wigan Athletic after the Independent Football Regulator approved his appointment. The news comes as the club sits 22nd in League One with three points from their opening four games.
Cole-Johnson, who was appointed last month following the departure of managing director Sarah Guilfoyle, received formal clearance on Friday evening. He has already been a visible presence at the Brick Community Stadium, watching games and meeting staff, sponsors, and fans at various club sites including the Laticafé, Heritage Museum, and the Academy at Christopher Park. In an open letter penned ahead of Saturday's home match against Stockport County, he said, "I am writing to you after the Independent Football Regulator approved my appointment in role here at Wigan Athletic, and I am now in a position to take up my formal duties as CEO."
Even before his formal start, Anthony Cole-Johnson has been immersing himself in the club. He has spent considerable time with staff across key locations like Robin Park, Stadium Way, and the training ground at Christopher Park, where refurbished pitches were a close-season project. He has thanked existing staff for their commitment and met with a core set of sponsors who support key areas of the club. Cole-Johnson has also watched matches from the stands to get a genuine feel for the atmosphere and the team, which has scored five goals but conceded seven in the league so far.
The CEO's letter outlined a twin focus on commercial growth and football performance. Investment from the ownership board is enabling facility improvements, but Cole-Johnson stressed that Wigan must also drive up its own revenues to compete in a league where many rivals run deficit budgets in the millions. The commercial team aims to engage more businesses in Wigan and the surrounding area and to better amplify sponsor messages. The club also wants more fans to experience its award-winning hospitality offerings at the stadium.
On the pitch, manager Gary Caldwell has built a squad focused on playing on the front foot. The closure of the transfer window saw 14 new players arrive, significantly boosting the squad's profile. The club currently trails league leaders Huddersfield by seven points and faces a tough next assignment away to second-placed Sheffield Wednesday on September 12th.
Anthony Cole-Johnson acknowledged the competitive nature of League One and the importance of results. "Football is a results business, and of course, the ideal is to win every game," he said. He pledged that the club would share more communication across all its platforms in the near future, aiming for greater transparency with supporters. The immediate challenge is clear: to improve a league position that sees the Tics in the bottom three, with a goal difference of minus two. Fans can track the progress in our standings section.
The open letter concluded with a rallying cry of 'Up the Tics!', signaling the start of a new chapter at the Brick Community Stadium. Wigan Athletic's next match is away at Sheffield Wednesday on September 12th.
